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A Little Rant about the use of the word "Jap"
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I have been looking around this forum for a little while, but I have come across the use of the word "Jap" many times. I am not sure if it is due to the fact that people are ignorant of the word, so I thought that I would post something to let people know. Simply, the word "jap" is a derogatory term used to describe anyone of Japanese ancestry. A lot of people (myself included) feel that the word carries the same meaning as "nigger" would for a black person. I know that a lot of people use short hand to make it easier/ faster to type. I think that this might be the reason for using the term "Jap". I just want to let people know about the use of this word so they do not unintentionally offend someone. Come on people, how much harder is it to type the "an" after "Jap"? Or even "anese"? I am sorry if this have been covered before, but it just kind of pissed me off to still see it around. Thanks for listening. |
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Re: A Little Rant about the use of the word "Jap"
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by
 TIE_Defender2nd 
on 2006-01-23 19:57:07 |
you are not the only one who is irritated about this :)  |
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Re: A Little Rant about the use of the word "Jap"
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by Jad [Alt] Kaizer
on 2006-01-23 20:05:25 (edited 2006-01-23 20:06:24)
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Oh, that dates back to the times of WWII, where war propagandas are running everywhere in the streets. And yeah, 'Jap' sounds a lot negative in this sense, since all the Allied supporters will go "Fight the Japs", "Fight the Jerries" etc.
Behold the possibilities ! The end is merely the start of a new history !
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Re: A Little Rant about the use of the word "Jap"
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| Wow, I'm not the only one. I think I've mentioned it once here before, but people just brush it aside. Even though I'm not Japanese, I still find it derogatory. It's like calling a Chinese a chink, or someone of African decent a nigger. Jap is NOT an abbreviation of Japan. And come on, Japan is only 5 letters, and Japanese has 3 more. Why would you even need an abbreviation. It's another thing if the word is long like deoxyribonucleic acid or something. |
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Re: A Little Rant about the use of the word "Jap"
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by S-a-c-h-i-e-l
on 2006-01-23 21:55:54
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I don't think I've ever said Jap, if I have then I'm sorry. Yes, I agree with you guys that Jap sounds kind of like nigger, but with a different culture. I'll spread the word, okays? ^_^  |
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Re: A Little Rant about the use of the word "Jap"
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by
on 2006-01-23 22:15:32 |
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I lost this, start again. Jap is also a derogatory term meaning Jewish American Princess. MAy I continue? I have seen Jap used here and have never really taken it to be deliberatley demeaning although there are certainly people who do. As a mod here I would instantly make it known if I thought for an instant that it was ever used that way. However I also try to teach, "That an offense offered need not be taken", even if it is deliberate and that all too often it is not meant to be deliberate. My guess is if I called some one here niggardly, especially someone who is black, there would be a huge cry out about someone being offended. That is until you find out that the word niggardly means someone who is stingy: as with money, or who won't share. See what I mean? We are too many cultures here to easily let what the others say to take offense. If we did that we would be no better than the nations of the world (a metaphore for governments)see I have to explain it or a mis understanding I Think it was Rukia and I who got into a tiff over the simple not understanding when I was teasing her about using tagalog the same way my friends tease me for speaking spanish. It's not an insult or offense. It's friends playing with each other. So Jap (Japanese) or Jap (Jewish American Princess) that's me it really makes no difference. If it did then Ranger who is an American Desert Rat and Ken who is a Japanese safety engineer living in Singapore could never argue about Ken's rice burning sports car vs Rangers piece of pig iron. They call each other names it's a guy thing because they are friends. I shall ask that all you please try to watch what you say. I shall also ask that you do not take offense so easily and to be tolerant of each other. If everyone in the world did that there would be peace not conflict. I first wrote, "An offense offered need not be taken..." as part of an essay in college. There is a little more, "... and an apology offered may be return unused".  |
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Re: A Little Rant about the use of the word "Jap"
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by
TIE_Defender2nd
on 2006-01-23 22:23:18 |
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Well said, Lady Rin. |
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Re: A Little Rant about the use of the word "Jap"
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I appreciate all the replies. While it bothers me a lot to see the term, I have not seen it used in these forums deliberately to belittle anyone. Fortunately, the Japanese community as a whole tends to be very tolerant. I believe that in order for all of us to get along we need education, communication, and understanding. While I was irritated when I started this thread, I did understand that what I saw was not intentional. The full purpose of this thread was to educate people so that they understand. I can not be truly angry at someone who does not understand that what they did is not acceptable. When there is a conversation between two people, I can not be too angry also, as their conversation can be taken out of context. Just as it takes some patience and understanding to be tolerant of other people, people need to make the effort to try to do the right thing. |
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Re: A Little Rant about the use of the word "Jap"
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by
TIE_Defender2nd
on 2006-01-23 23:38:28 |
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yes, what Lady Rin and Deenko said we all must carry-out as global citizens. We must examplify ourselves to our future generation so that the future can truly be a better place... and put an end to this froathing disease called prejudice. |