Why is "oriental" considered racist? Being from the orient a bad thing?

Answer 1

I don't understand why it's so difficult for some people to refer to others by the names or designations that they prefer. I would hope that you wouldn't disrespect people on an individual level by referring to them by names that they don't like.

I am sure you wouldn't want others to do that to you. It shouldn't be so difficult to refer to groups by their preferred appellations. I'm not sure why some individuals have problems with these basic aspects of polite behavior.

Answer 2

People from the 'orient' do not call themselves 'oriental'. It is not consciously derogatory but nevertheless an insensitive name made up by Europeans that initially applied to the Middle East then later to all places east of the Middle East (that's why Persian rugs are called 'oriental' rugs). The proper respectful and sensitive way to determine names of foreign people and places is to simply ask them to tell you the proper names. In the case of the 'orient', Europeans knew there were large areas with myriad cultures beyond the Middle East but did not have enough exposure to know any proper names so they referred to it in this broad generalized term (and that is what makes it 'insensitive' -- it is similar to calling a Korean, Chinese. When you don't know the proper names, you have a good excuse but once you learn the proper names, it is disrespectful to continue referring to someone by a quaint ignorant broad generalization.)

(Way too long an answer, sorry about that but it's early and I'm not in top form yet.)


P.S. Saying you would like "an oriental" to weigh in is offensive and confrontational. You asked why it is considered racist -- that means you have HEARD it is considered racist -- that means you KNOW your audience is going to consider it racist -- then you go ahead and say it anyway? It doesn't matter if you understand or don't understand why it is racist. The people to whom it refers have TOLD YOU they consider it racist! You don't need to know anything more than that to stop saying it! It's not an argument. You don't tell them they are wrong then prove them wrong with an argument. If you are curious about it, ask a question but don't tell us you KNOW it's racist then say it anyway! What is your problem? Are you intentionally trying to insult someone or are you really just that ignorant?

Answer 3

Oriental usually describes things like beads and food (objects without emotions)
Asian describes the people

Now that I think about it, why do they care?

Answer 4

Asians are very proud of their individual heritages. To be called "oriental" lumps everyone in the same group. They would rather be identified by their heritage.... Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.

Answer 5

I think the new PC thing is oriental is suppose to refer to things not people, but it also includes the middle east so it really isn't about race as much as geography.

Answer 6

I view Oriental as an antiquated term...like Persian.

Answer 7

People in western N.America/Oz etc usually use the word Asian. It has become the norm.
Even though places like Russia are in Asia, times be a-changing ---that is all.

Answer 8

"Orient" is what the West called the far east, it's not "P
C."

Answer 9

"Oriental" is a description for inanimate objects. "Asian" is the description for people. "Oriental" is considered a dehumanizing term.

Answer 10

'cause Asians wanna play the race card too.