Finally, a good comeback from me

[GuestJockey]

We had a great class discussion on whether or not the term "exotic" is racist, since it is a way of class-ing people, even though it's a romantic way. I'm still not sure where I fall on the issue, but I always think about it when I hear it used.

In my opinion, PC has gone too far. Most of the problem could be solved if we could just learn to talk to each other. If I can't TELL exactly where you're from, I'll go broader and say "Asian" or "Hispanic". If that bothers you, TELL me. Don't YELL at me or tell someone ELSE it bothers you, but just tell me. I don't mean any harm by it, and I can start calling you "Vietnamese" now that I know - which will help OTHERS know where you're from so THEY won't do it. When did we decide we couldn't just TALK to each other?

[Amphigorey]

Never understood that myself, actually. I think of "The Orient" and it seems like something you'd romanticize (and yes, I realize that is because it was romanticized).

Well, since you asked...

Many people don't like to be called "Oriental" because it makes them sound like an object instead of a person. You know - rugs and vases are Oriental. People are Asian. Does that make sense? Some Asians don't care one way or the other, but since many do, I default to "Asian" until I know what the person in question prefers. I don't think that's being overly PC - that's just polite.

[BRWombat]

...I don't think that's being overly PC - that's just polite.

I think you're on to something here. I suspect simple politeness would solve most if not all of the animosity that exists in our society -- politeness not just in a speaker choosing his or her words carefully, but also in a hearer assuming good intentions in the speaker until proven otherwise, and being slow to take offense.

[Just Me]

Well..... you can tell some nationalities apart by style of clothing, hair cut, and skin tone.

I know what you mean tho.. I like the old saying... and i forget where it comes from but it goes a little something like this...

"I am human, If you cut me.. Dont I bleed red... Dont you bleed red..."

From Shakespeare...Merchant of Venice...a quote from Shylock about how he is treated as a Jew in Venice at the time.

"I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs,
dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means,
warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison
us, do we not die?"

And so it has gone from Shakespeare till today. We all want the world to know that we are simply human first and anything else second.

[Sarah Magdalene]

I don't mean any harm by it, and I can start calling you "Vietnamese" now that I know -

Better yet, just call them by their name.

[Cranbiz]

Which is fine unless your name is Phuc Yu. :D: ;)

[Canuikstan]

Which is fine unless your name is Phuc Yu. :D: ;)

OMG! There was a Vietnamese guy in my grad 6 class named Phuc Vu! (with a V instead of a Y).. we just called him Phil ;)

[Amphigorey]

We had a great class discussion on whether or not the term "exotic" is racist, since it is a way of class-ing people, even though it's a romantic way. I'm still not sure where I fall on the issue, but I always think about it when I hear it used.

That was probably an interesting discussion.

I'm not sure "exotic" is racist as such, but it certainly has the effect of "other"-ing people - that is, casting people in two camps: 'normal, everyday' and 'exotic.' In other words, Not Like You and Me. That fosters division, and makes people seem more different than they actually are. So, yeah, I think if you use "exotic," you should use it with care and good judgment.

[Ms. Matterhorn]

That was probably an interesting discussion.

I'm not sure "exotic" is racist as such, but it certainly has the effect of "other"-ing people - that is, casting people in two camps: 'normal, everyday' and 'exotic.' In other words, Not Like You and Me. That fosters division, and makes people seem more different than they actually are. So, yeah, I think if you use "exotic," you should use it with care and good judgment.

Did anyone see the episode of "The Office" where the Stamford Branch moves into the Scranton Branch and Michael meets Karen and says something like, "Wow, you're very EXOTIC looking. Was your dad in the military?"

[February]

Or Romulan.

If they bleed green and they're smiling, they're definitely Romulan.

Unless it's a Vulcan during Pon Farr...then you're in real trouble.

Far as referring to someone as 'that' -fill in the skin color or race- I also find that to be offensive.

It's interesting, we've had the same next door neighbor for six years. I always thought she was a really nice lady. Once in the past, she made a quick remark that gave me pause about the changing face of our neighborhood (we're in a highly multi-cultural area, with this I have no issue) but our neighbor just announced she was moving out.

I felt terrible about it- until she made a remark to my husband and I when we hapened to be at her place of employment shopping (in front of her coworkers no less) that she was moving because she was 'sick of being the minority.'

Needless to say, we won't be shedding a single tear when the moving truck arrives. Buh bye.

I can't tolerate racism. Wallaby, I am so glad you didn't get beat up- and I echo your hopes we can eradicate hate in my daughter's generation.

I know she takes great offense at discrimination, against people of different backgrounds, against gays...any and all. Hate is hate, and life is just too short for it.

As the classic Lennon song goes..."You may say I'm a dreamer...but I'm not the only one..."

If that makes me a hippie, oh well LOL

Bru