The term "Japs"

[JU_88]

I dont see why "Japs" is racist either, its maybe a bit cheeky though (too much PC hystyria about if you ask me,) but I dont mind not using the word if it bothers people.
Considering i went out with a nice 'Jap' girl for about 2 and half years - I think -kind of rules me out from having any kind of racial issues with Japanese people. Or it makes me a total hypocryte, you decide....

[Chief of the Boat]

Everybody has at least three identifying features : (1) Race, (2) Country, (3) Ethinicity. *I* am a Caucasian, American, 'European American'. We are who we ARE...

[DaMaGe007]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Ok, since your calling me racist, i'll bite on the bait, but i wont get very far into it since im not into discussion right now.

Theres two types of people where multiculturism is concerned.

Type A :
Who say's " I'm a (insert other nation here)-American".


Type B:
Who say's " Im an American of (insert country here) decent".

See the difference?

I wont go into it anymore then that because this thread is going to hell in a hand basket as it is already. BTW, I'm a type B. Im an American of German, Native Indian, and Chinese decent. You can call me Kruat, whatever slang there is for native americans, and Chink if you want - i could care less.

Oh I see what you were meaning now, I thought you were refering to people who use a hyphen in thier internet names, like Fire-fox or U-dog (other forum members). I thought it was a bit of a strange thing to be upset over. I was merely pointing out that your wording could have been better since you seemed to a person that doesnt like to offend, that last line kinda made you look a bit hypocritical in that regard.

Now I know what you are talking about it makes more sence and is possibly related to Patriotism ? I agree because they are making an issue out of the race aspect, instead of honouring thier decent afterwards. Simple missunderstanding.

[SeniorSpan]

G'day,

Interesting thread. COB, well said! My particular phrase, "we are over civilized"!

My two cents on "Japs"; lived in northern Japan for 4 years, had many Japanese men and woman working for me and I made many Japanese acquaintances and a handful of good friends. Every nationality and race seems to have a "tag(s)", in the case of this thread, the tag IDed is "Japs". I found, while living in Japan, it can be derogatory or just somewhat of a friendly slur, depending on the situation, context and tone used when spoken. I'm sure that's the case for every nationality and race. I'll say Japs on occassion but mostly say/write Japanese.

And, as and obsevation: I'm very happy to see no one has offended anyone by suggesting they are......... articulate.

Cheers

[Loaf]

I am not clear on whether "Jap" is a potentially offensive term or not. Sure there was racial hatred directed towards the Japanese during WWII, but that does not automatically make the term offensive per se.

"Yanks" is not a derogatory term (except perhaps if an American Southerner is speaking about a Northerner!), neither is "Tommy" or "Fritz." I am a Canadian and "Canuck" is not an offensive term either. "Kraut" or "Hun" seem to be insulting terms, but "Kraut" is clearly no worse in meaning that the relatively innocuous "Limey" (both refer to foods, after all...)

The British often referred to the Japanese as "The Nips" during the war... is that offensive? I don't think anybody says it anymore anyhow...

I guess my point is that there are obviously clearly offensive and derogatory English-language terms for various racial and national groups, but there are also terms that are friendly nicknames, short forms, or mildly derisive or sarcastic terms.

Which of these descriptions applies to the term "Jap?" After all, it's just a shortened form of "Japanese." Are there any Japanese people on the forum? I would be interested to hear their perspective...

[Ducimus]

This thread is dead.


Im not sure which i dislike most. The fact that some folks thought to make a big deal out of a common phraise like "Jap tin can" or the fact that i got suckered into responding to it.


EDIT:

you know what the funny thing is. A swastika is alot worse then the word "jap". It symbolizes ALOT of things, even to this day, and is one of many adopted symbols of racial hate white supremists groups, Yet nobody ever complains about swazticas in SH3. But mutter the word jap, and somebody gets their panties in a twist. yeah, go ahead, somebody explain that one.

[U-Dog]

Originally Posted by Loaf

I am not clear on whether "Jap" is a potentially offensive term or not. Sure there was racial hatred directed towards the Japanese during WWII, but that does not automatically make the term offensive per se.

"Yanks" is not a derogatory term (except perhaps if an American Southerner is speaking about a Northerner!), neither is "Tommy" or "Fritz." I am a Canadian and "Canuck" is not an offensive term either. "Kraut" or "Hun" seem to be insulting terms, but "Kraut" is clearly no worse in meaning that the relatively innocuous "Limey" (both refer to foods, after all...)

The British often referred to the Japanese as "The Nips" during the war... is that offensive? I don't think anybody says it anymore anyhow...

I guess my point is that there are obviously clearly offensive and derogatory English-language terms for various racial and national groups, but there are also terms that are friendly nicknames, short forms, or mildly derisive or sarcastic terms.

Which of these descriptions applies to the term "Jap?" After all, it's just a shortened form of "Japanese." Are there any Japanese people on the forum? I would be interested to hear their perspective...

Canuck and Yank are rather unique in being embraced by the group that the words refer to. Limey, won't offend someone from the UK as much as belittle football will.
While today we might think of Jap or Nip as simply short hand, traditionally it has been a pejorative (sp?) Pre-war laws preventing Japanese from becoming citizens or from wedding whites were common on the west coast. Wartime US propaganda was also extremely racist- so were the Japanese btw.

Now i don't say the F word in front of my Mother even though I don't think there is really anything wrong with it. Its just that she doesn't like it and I don't want to upset her or show disrespect. I don't think this impinges on my freedom or makes me less of a man. Why should refraining from using a contraversial word be such a sacrifice?
Anyway, I've already said a patrol report about sinking a Jap tin can isn't the usage that concerns me...
Ducimus, just because you could care less if people call you chink (do you even look Chinese?) doesn't mean everybody else has to feel the same way does it? I know quite a few people who do find it very upsetting.

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by U-Dog

Now i don't say the F word in front of my Mother even though I don't think there is really anything wrong with it. Its just that she doesn't like it and I don't want to upset her or show disrespect. I don't think this impinges on my freedom or makes me less of a man. Why should refraining from using a contraversial word be such a sacrifice?

Well said, U-Dog.

PS: Love the hat!

[immortal44]

Canuck and Yank are rather unique in being embraced by the group that the words refer to.

Pom, aussie, kiwi, although I'm not sure if poms embrace theirs.

[Gizzmoe]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Yet nobody ever complains about swazticas in SH3. But mutter the word jap, and somebody gets their panties in a twist. yeah, go ahead, somebody explain that one.

There were several people here that complained about the swastikas in SH3. Drebbel for example said that he wouldn´t have played SH3 if they hadn´t removed it from the game.

[Abd_von_Mumit]

Originally Posted by Gizzmoe

There were several people here that complained about the swastikas in SH3. Drebbel for example said that he wouldn´t have played SH3 if they hadn´t removed it from the game.

Quite funny, that we forget things so fast. The simbol has been used for thousands years before nazis adopted it, in almost any culture of the world we know. Likewise star of David and tens of other stars, all flavours of crosses, circles, squares... The Hindu didn't let the European Union to ban the Swastika simbol in all UE countries, and that's very good. I hope in a few ten years the nazi odium will go away and the swastika will be used again in its original meaning.

Simbol is never 'bad' in itself... I think. And there is hardly any simbol that haven't been used for numerous purposes.

Have a look: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

[Boris]

The Hindu Swastika turns left, and is a completely different looking symbol IMO. Apparently Hitler made it turn right and diamond shaped to make it look more powerful/agressive.
So they are hardly the same symbol at all. They should make a distinction between the Nazi "Hakenkreuz" and the Hindu Swastika.

[Abd_von_Mumit]

Originally Posted by Boris

The Hindu Swastika turns left, and is a completely different looking symbol IMO. Apparently Hitler made it turn right and diamond shaped to make it look more powerful/agressive.
So they are hardly the same symbol at all. They should make a distinction between the Nazi "Hakenkreuz" and the Hindu Swastika.

Hmm... Yes, but it's still a swastika, same simbol, as these are all just crosses:

[DaMaGe007]

I like the Nazi Swasticka, I like the feeling of power and evil and dread assosiated with it. I would certainly prefer a WW2 game or movie to have it, and be used correctly. Its all part of the atmosphere as far as Im concerned.

Im not a Neo Nazi or Nazi, I dont idolize hitler or facizm, I think its a shame the EU and Germany think its people cant handle seeing it. I do agree they should have laws regarding neo nazi groups worshiping it tho.

Im all for a option in the settings to remove/replace the textures at the users choice but I dont like government cencorship of this part of history.

[timmyg00]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Okay, since we're not worrying about what we say and how it affects others...

The words are

1) Ridiculous

2) Vain

3) Through

4) Offending

I also dislike so-called "political correctness", but on the other hand it doesn't take any effort at all to avoid pejorative and insulting terms. Using such terms in the name of "not being told what to do" is both childish and arrogant. I thoroughly dislike terrorists, but I don't make a habit of calling all Arabs "ragheads" or "towelheads".

When I was involved with killing them I did tend to refer to Vietnamese as "gooks", "slants" and "slopes". I don't anymore, even in fun. If you want to call the enemy "Japs" or "Nips" in your patrol reports and stories, that makes perfect sense, as it fits the context of the times. On the other hand, using those terms in your everyday posts is offensive, and you should try to avoid them where possible.

Hey Steve, I agree with you on principle, but before you go lecturing anyone one how to "speak", take a look at your signature. It's loaded with ethnic stereotypes - 2 for each group mentioned, for a grand total of ten! Funny or not, they're still stereotypes, and violate the spirit of your posts in this thread...

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve's quote

Heaven: The police are British, the mechanics are German, the chefs are Italian, the lovers are French and everything is run by the Swiss.
Hell: The police are German, the mechanics are French, the chefs are British, the lovers are Swiss and everything is run by the Italians.

TG