This ought to stimulate some discussion--IGNORANCE

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
I didn't realize that term was offensive.

If American woman is not offensive


And neither is the term "Chinese man" offensive. The term in question was offensive because it has been used for a long time in a derogatory manner. And any connotation generally sticks.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: XS650
Originally Posted By: javacontour
I didn't realize that term was offensive.



Go to Google and enter

define:[word you want to learn about]

without the brackets, of course

Seems the answer is mixed...

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinaman

Quote:

Chinaman is a term that refers to a Chinese man. It was not defined as offensive by older dictionaries.[1][2] Today, Asian American organizations and others have objected to the use of the term as offensive,[3][4][5][6] and it has been defined as such by current dictionaries. The term has been used without stated offensive intent,[3][6] and has also been used as a self-referential archetype by authors and artists of Asian descent.


So if I use it, it's offensive, but if Asians use it, it's OK.

I understand

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
So if I use it, it's offensive, but if Asians use it, it's OK.


Now you are lumping all Asians together?

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
Originally Posted By: XS650
Originally Posted By: javacontour
I didn't realize that term was offensive.



Go to Google and enter

define:[word you want to learn about]

without the brackets, of course

Seems the answer is mixed...





Here the answer is perfectly clear and unambiguous. Don't use it.

 

[leftlane]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
You were faster on that than stink on a monkey!

On a chinese monkey? I know you wanted to say it.

I meant no offense with my short hand for chinese man. I like chinese people. Heck my best friend used to be chinese lol.

 

[moribundman]

Your crystal ball is defective.

Funny, how this is a thread about ignorance and some don't know even what pet names are considered questionable if not outright offensive.

 

[Gary Allan]

When I worked as a temp at a corn syrup distribution center, I worked with another temp from Vietnam. He was chosen as the Omega employee by the full timers. We (Sonny and I) would routinely joke about universal constants. "Something went wrong!!!! Blame [ derogatory term ]!!! ".

It would not be my first choice in getting to know someone from China ...at least until I figured that they could hang with my humor.

I have been known to say, "Why ..that's mighty politically correct of you". It doesn't always work

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
Originally Posted By: javacontour
So if I use it, it's offensive, but if Asians use it, it's OK.


Now you are lumping all Asians together?

Nope, just paraphrasing what I quoted above.

Did I tell you the one about those of Teutonic descent with reading comprehension issues?

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
Your crystal ball is defective.

Funny, how this is a thread about ignorance and some don't know even what pet names are considered questionable if not outright offensive.


How would someone know.

I'd expect you would, given you live in the Bay Area. Far greater exposure to multiple cultures. Around here, it simply means a man from China. Hence, my confusion over how such a term is offensive.

The county were I was born and raised had NO families of anything other than European descent. It wasn't until I was 20-21 that I even had much exposure to other cultures.

So it's not hard to imagine that many would be unaware how a particular term is offensive, given not everyone is exposed to other cultures, and therefore never exposed to their views on what is and is not offensive to them.

To expect someone to know what is offensive to someone unknown to them is insanity. Or better yet, it's ignorant to expect others to know what you know.

It cuts both ways.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: leftlane
Originally Posted By: moribundman
You were faster on that than stink on a monkey!

On a chinese monkey? I know you wanted to say it.

I meant no offense with my short hand for chinese man. I like chinese people. Heck my best friend used to be chinese lol.


I could go so many ways with this, but I'd probably get edited. So I'll just enjoy my cleverness in my mind.

To the thought police, I harbor no ill will against the Chinese. I am simply selfish and value reveling my personal cleverness more than being politically correct.

 

[moribundman]

Quote:
Did I tell you the one about those of Teutonic descent with reading comprehension issues?


Feel free to call me a pet name, but only if you are also of Teutonic descent.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
To expect someone to know what is offensive to someone unknown to them is insanity. Or better yet, it's ignorant to expect others to know what you know.


The lack of common knowledge never seizes to amaze me. Everybody who doesn't know the most commonly used derogatory terms, please raise your hand.

 

[moribundman]

Quote from the 'Kung Fu' (1972-1975):

"We don't like yer kind around here, CHINAMAN!"

Sure, no offense intended if uttered by an ignorant [censored]-kicker.

*makes bow and leaves stage*

 

[doitmyself]

Quote:
The lack of common knowledge never seizes to amaze me. Everybody who doesn't know the most commonly used derogatory terms, please raise your hand.



For me.,it's the abundance of common knowledge that is more amazing.

How many years was it common knowledge that the earth was square and you could sail off the edge? It still seems to be common knowledge (in the world outside BITOG) that Pennzoil causes sludge.

 

[Diesel_Clatter]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
Originally Posted By: javacontour
To expect someone to know what is offensive to someone unknown to them is insanity. Or better yet, it's ignorant to expect others to know what you know.


The lack of common knowledge never seizes to amaze me. Everybody who doesn't know the most commonly used derogatory terms, please raise your hand.


cease or a moderator will seize the thread

 

[Gary Allan]

Well, I for one feel insulted that I'm not in the center of this whole thing and that others are getting all the attention!!!!

It's a curse to be an only child ..

 

[doitmyself]

Gary, on behalf of everyone here, I apologize for upsetting you. We should have had the common knowledge that we were insulting you by stealing your thunder.

I would raise my hand to acknowledge my lack of common knowledge of derogatory actions, but....what if I have no hands?

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
but....what if I have no hands?


Clap louder!


..and be a little more sensitive next time ....

 

[1sttruck]

This has been around so long that some claim it's one of the missing sections of Genesis :^)

http://www.janko.at/Humor/Arbeitswelt/Der Plan.htm

The Plan
Arbeitswelt

In the Beginning was the plan.

And then came the assumptions.

And the assumptions were without form.

And the plan was completely without substance. And the darkness was upon the face of the workers. And they spoke among themselves saying: "It is a crock, and it stinketh."

And the workers went unto their supervisors, and sayeth: "It is a pail of dung, and none can abide the odor thereof."

And the supervisors went unto their managers and sayeth unto them, "It is a container of excrement, and it is very strong, such that none can abide it."

And the managers went unto the directors and sayeth, "It is a vessel of fertilizer, and none can abide its strength," And the directors spoke amongst themselves, saying one to another: "It contains that which aids plant growth, and is very strong."

And the directors went unto the vice presidents and sayeth to them, "It promotes growth, and is very powerful."

And the vice presidents went unto the president, and sayeth unto him, "This new plan will actively promote growth and efficiency of this company, and certain areas in particular."

And the president looked upon the plan, and saw that it was good. And the plan became policy.

And this is how s*it happens.

 

[oilyriser]

Let's have a vote to decide if multiple ignorances multiply or add together.