Originally posted by Murdr
/IT\, I was not aware of this was an issue until about 10-11 years ago. I, like the thread starter typed it out, and someone politely mentioned to me that it could be offensive to people of Japanese decent.
My reaction was
"Oh. Didnt know that, thanks."
Actually, I probably did know (historically), but it never occured to me.
My reaction was not
"**** you. There is a vast political consperiacy making this up and I will use it anyways because I do not personally know of anyone offended by it, therefore it is not offensive." (call me crazy)
Now considering Rolex is in Japan, and you are not. I believe that puts his qualifications much higher than yours on the subject of what the Japanese culture might think about a topic.
But that is not what you wish to talk about anyways. You want to talk about (tommy chong voice) bucking the esablishment and sticking it to the man.
Bucking the establishment and sticking it to the man??
Where the hell did that come from?
If bucking the establishment is resisting this insanity of political correctness of "ohh we have to be careful not to offend every single group that whines about something said being hurtful reguardless if it was said to be hurtful or not." Then yes. and I will do so until my dying breath
But I think your missing my entire point. And it has nothing to do with "sticking it to the man"
If you or Rolex, or anyone else is offended by a word it is because you choose to be offended.
I used to be offended by derogatory ethnic words that were directed at me. And those were done intentionally to offend me.
As soon as I decided it wasn't worth it getting offended over. the words lost all power to hurt me
In the case of the word "Jap"
If I were to say. "Jap plane "I simply mean Japanese plane"
I think its pretty safe to say that most people no longer use the term to offend.
Now if Rolex or anyone else is offended by it. That is on them. They are choosing to be offended by it because to offend wasn't the intent.
and they very well know it wasn't the intent.
Therefore Not only are they letting the word have power by being offended They are choosing to be offended.
And its not like anyone is saying "Damn filthy Jap" where the intent is obvious.
Or like spic, or the N word.
Where you can be pretty sure that if they are used to you. the person is either joking and busting your chops. or is intentionally trying to offend you.
Its a pretty safe bet when someone these days isn't saying it in any other way. then as an abbreviation For Japanese.
Yea, maybe in the past is was used in a derogatory manner. But today. Not so much.
Now If I can move past and remove the power of the words used on me to intentionally offend me by not allowing myself to be offended.
Then others can move past a term where these days in most part no offence is meant.
Maybe it would be better to realize that unless the word is supported by other words that would indicate its derogatory intent. It probably isn't intended in a derogatory manner.
For example. If I were to say. "I'm flying/He's flying a Jap plane"
I am simply stating the person in question is flying a Japanese plane.
In no way shape or form am I saying it to be derogatory or offensive.
But If I were to say "That damn Jap" Then ok now Im attacking. Now I am trying to offend. Then I can almost buy into someone being upset.
As for me. You can search the threads till your blue in the face and you will have one hell of a time finding one where I have called anyone anything resembling a racial slur.
In this one I have been speaking in generalizations and have included myself in those generalizations to make a point.
Only we can give the words power.
And only we can remove the power of those words.
By not bothering to be offended. We have power over the words.
by being offended over such silliness.
we allow the words have power over us.
