is this comment racist or unkind?

[TX-Beau]

Native American is what you call people that are American Indian

I found out the hard way that there are some Native Americans who object to being called Americans - which I suppose is fair, they were who they were long before we came along. I find it safest to ask what tribe they are and use that.

 

[figjam]

well i just looked up the word oriental in some online dictionary and it stated that the word is an ethnic slur and should be avoided at all times.

Not quite - don't believe everything you read on Wikipedia.

"Oriental" relates to people originating from the orient (like Africans, Americans, Europeans etc).

The negative connectation was place by people using it as a slur - the word itself has no negative connectation in itself.

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

I find it rather amusing to always hear white people that seem to have an issue with what minorities are referred to.

It's because it's somewhere between a joke (because the change a lot) and something that we can lose jobs over...

RG

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

Outside of classrooms, one would scarcely hear the words occidental and oriental.

Occidental, yes; however, oriental is still a word with lots of use, not all of them good...

RG

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

No, sorry I'm not buying that. The american bit of it clearly denotes a point of origin, one which the bold Nelson doen't rally fall under.

That's fine; that's your opinion. Interesting how only your opinion of the situation counts, but it is your opinion...

RG

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

Thank you, that's more of an explanation than anybody has offered on Jub so far. (as far as I know of)..

NP!

I much prefer people who are really good to blacks above people who think using the right words is more important.

On the other hand, I'm not going to be nice to anyone just because of the person's skin color. I think allowing anyone to be an idiot and excusing it because of that person's skin color is pretty much racist.

[Yeah, I get what you're saying....still...]

RG

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

Since when are Portugal and Italy hispanic?

Like he said: USED TO MEAN.....Doesn't apply anymore....

RG