'jap' as a reference

[Meisen]

RichConley,

I understand your point I think but slippery slope arguements are, IMO, almost always oversimplicifcations of the issue at hand. We, as a society, have to make some delineations at some point on the "slope" otherwise we are being pretty obtuse.

IE gun control issue. Some folks argue that having any regulation of guns is a slippery slope that would somehow lead to more regulations in the future. While most would agree that making all forms of military technology available at the local Wal Mart isnt such a great idea. So in effect, we as a society have more or less already agreed on a point on the slope that is certainly a compromise.

 

[ReefDoctorMicromussas]

Here is my new and updated opinion....

"Jap" as a coral name Absolutely has no negative conotations at all , unless someone wishes to see it that way.. Its history lesson all to familiar to many of us becomes inconsequential when compared to the true issue here...

This issue:

The same as if were we all sitting at a table eating or playing cards we would attempt to respect the feelings of the others people at the table...

Fliger and Delight are freinds and fellow reefers and simply for no other reson than respect for them I am ceasing to use the term "Jap" in my posts... not because it is wrong but because I sit at a table with many when I post and weather intentional or not they have expressed a wish that I not utilize it in the fasion I have.... This is NOT general Political correctness as I soooo hate that... this is out of respect of those around me

Chris

 

[Meisen]

Exactly Chris

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8454368#post8454368 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redFishblue
So if you said the "N" word, and a black person gets offended, are you telling me you would tell them "You people are just getting offended for the sake of being offended and indignant. Stop trying to be a victim".

We all realize that nobody was trying to be offensive when they used that word as an abbreviation. I am not trying to impugn the character of people here on RC at all. I am just flabbergasted that it seems so hard to get the point across that that word has long been deemed deragatory in this country. While you may say it with no malice, there are people who will hear it with all its historical and cultural baggage and so for the sake of civility, please refrain.

Again, why is a black man allowed to call another black man by the N word, but a white man cant? Its not the word thats offensive, its the intent.

 

[GobyJohnKenobi]

"...this is out of respect of those around me."


Well said, Chris.

Anyone else want to end this on that note?

 

[Meisen]

Good call,

Another thread rescued from the brink

 

[redFishblue]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8454735#post8454735 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
Again, why is a black man allowed to call another black man by the N word, but a white man cant? Its not the word thats offensive, its the intent.

That seems more like an example of which people are allowed to use certain words, not intent. A white person who uses the N word as a description would be most likely deemed offensive regardless of intent.
But by your definition of intent, then only people of Japanese ancestry should be allowed to use the word.

 

[shobo]

Wow, the intelligence here is shocking. I really doubt most Japanese people will be offended (in japan), because Jap is an obvious abb of Japanese and because most dont have any idea that it has any derogatory meaning. In any case Nipponica or something along those lines would be more correct.
Japan=Nihon also Nippon
How about Ja or Ni? if you are too lazy to type in those last few charactors?

 

[Fliger]

Thanks Chris. If I walked into your house and said a term that we felt was innocuous, but your wife/mother/daughter was offended by it - I'd stop using it without question, no matter what the reason. I might think its silly, but I'd still stop using it.

Cyberspace is one of those anonymous places where everyone can be tough guys. I doubt anyone here would really come into my home and and say Jap corals if they knew it was offensive.

I suppose by the arguments you could call Chinese food "Ch*nk food" because its easier and shorter. Or call my wife a Spic rather than Hispanic because its shorter. Its the exact same thing. I'd love to see it, actually. :lol: Rich, you have an open invitation to come by my house and prove your point by calling her a spic.

 

[RichConley]

dp

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8455163#post8455163 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redFishblue
That seems more like an example of which people are allowed to use certain words, not intent. A white person who uses the N word as a description would be most likely deemed offensive regardless of intent.
But by your definition of intent, then only people of Japanese ancestry should be allowed to use the word.

No, thats intent.

Its offensive when a white person says it because its assumed that his intent is to degrade a black person. WHen a black person says it, the intent isnt assumed.

FLiger, the internet makes things different. If I refrain from using words that might offend someone, I'm limited to about six words.

Yes, you'd stop saying the word, and if I was in your home, so would I, but that doesnt make it any less silly. The internet is an open forum: people need to realize that no one can realize every possible thing that might offend someone. If you dont have a tough enough skin to see something like "jap brain" on the internet, you probably shouldnt be on it, because there are much worse things out there.

 

[porky]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8457552#post8457552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
The internet is an open forum: people need to realize that no one can realize every possible thing that might offend someone. If you dont have a tough enough skin to see something like "jap brain" on the internet, you probably shouldnt be on it, because there are much worse things out there.

That makes more sense than anything I have read on the previous 3 pages... well said Rich :thumbsup:

 

[Fliger]

IMO the difference is you don't understand the hurt that the word Jap has for some people. Jap being a reference for Japanese. It seems that the core argument is that its fine because its short for Japanese, therefore its fine over the internet. So by that, you have no problem saying ch*nk short for Chinese or spic short for Hispanic. Over the internet.

I see things differently than you regarding the internet, its a place where things can be taken out of context so a little more courtesy is appropriate. I guess I just live my life that way and I'm quite successful for it.

I forgot that when I responded I'd be subscribed again, uggh. Where is that little button ....

 

[Justin74]

IMO of this thread after the 2nd page:

-Justin

 

[Treg]

Ahh Damn, I clicked on this page hoping to see some of those awesome Acans I hope to own someday... What a let down.

My only thought, Maybe some people need to use the abbreviation because they cannot spell out Japanese?

Example, I say Acan because I cant spell out Acanthastrea with out looking it up. Heck I cant even pronounce it.

 

[stan zemanek]

It amazes me how the liberals in this country who go out of their way pretending to be so PC, and claim to be so understanding and tolerant, will be the first ones to call somebody from the south a dumb redneck if they disagree with their policies.

 

[jamielind]

I doubt anyone here would really come into my home and and say Jap corals if they knew it was offensive.
no one said jap corals they abbrviated japanese as jap. so if they came to your home and said what was typed it would be japenese corals. do u really live in AZ or is that Arizona please help im confused. what a joke.

 

[jamielind]

last year i was talking to my grandmother who is 80 sum years old. she likes to tell me stories of when she was younger. she starts telling me about this "jap" guy she met and fell in love with when she was young. How if he wouldnt of moved away she would of married him. Do you really think she used that word out of hatred. would you of told her how out of line she was using that word. intent is everything. yes she really did tell me this story im not just making this up to argue. no i dont go around calling people jap because if i used that word i would be using it to put someone down.

 

[redFishblue]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8461668#post8461668 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamielind
[B Do you really think she used that word out of hatred. would you of told her how out of line she was using that word. intent is everything. [/B]

She is not saying that word out of hatred obviously, just reflecting the prejudice of the times she grew up in.
If she started calling black people the "N" word in public because that was the word they used back when she was young, do you think that would still be o.k. Her intent would not be to offend anyone but it obviously would.

 

[redFishblue]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8457552#post8457552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
Its offensive when a white person says it because its assumed that his intent is to degrade a black person.

You're right, his intent would not really matter, it would just be assumed as offensive. A white person would usually refrain from using the N word so he would not be misconstrued. It would be nice to extend that policy to another offensive word.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8457552#post8457552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
FLiger, the internet makes things different. If I refrain from using words that might offend someone, I'm limited to about six words.

Just curious as to what other words you would be unable to use once you go down the slippery slope of being PC?