I am creating this group in order to foster an INTELLIGENT discussion about the usage of the words "Oriental" and "Asian" This group is not meant to simply deride those who use the word "Oriental" as being ignorant. Before creating this group, I searched facebook to see if there were already groups addressing this topic. While there are several that simply state in annoyed or angry terms that Asian people are not to be called "Orientals," (or even say that "Oriental" is the preferred term!) I did not find any that actually gave reasons or explanations for this.

I am a believer that a statement is only as good as the reasons supporting it. So I would just like to identify some of the reasons that Asian people may take offense if they are called "Oriental." Whichever word you choose to use after knowing these reasons is entirely up to you.

I found a very well researched post on http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=545754 which is a great starting point [excerpted below]:

The political correctness of the term “Oriental? depends on where you are from and to whom you are speaking. Here in North America it is considered to be offensive. In Europe and in parts of Asia it is acceptable and in common usage.

One reason for its perceived offensiveness has to do with the meaning of the root word, Orient. This term is derived from the Latin word origins, referring to where the sun rises in the east. Since oriental is used to describe places (and people) that are to the East only in
relation to Europe, the term is considered by some to be Eurocentric.

But more likely, the real issue is its connotations stemming from the times when Europeans viewed the Orient as “exotic lands full ofromance and intrigue, the home of despotic empires and inscrutable customs. At the least these associations can give Oriental a dated
feel, and as a noun in contemporary contexts … it is now widely taken to be offensive.?

See the usage note here:
ANSWERS.COM: Oriental
http://www.answers.com/oriental&r=67


According to Wikipedia:

“In the United States, Ireland and Australasia (Australia and East Asia), since approximately 1990 "Asian" has been considered a more politically correct term for "Oriental", which previously referred to people from China, Japan, and Korea and other East Asian countries.This is partially due to the fact that the term "Orientalism" in academia has become associated with the European colonial attitude toward the Ottoman East.?

WIKIPEDIA: Asian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian

“Some people think of the term oriental as offensive or politically incorrect, largely because of its perceived connection by some people with nineteenth century European and American attitudes about the
region. In this world view, the East was seen as backwards, exotic, and patriarchal, while the West was seen as logical, rational, and more modern….

“…. Major objection to the use of oriental is chiefly limited to North America. Its use is much less controversial in Europe, as well as in Asia where, especially in south-east Asian countries, the word is in comparatively widespread usage.?

WIKIPEDIA: Oriental
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental

For an interesting (and oft referenced) take on the subject, see this Usenet posting (circa 1993) by Alan Hu:

On “Asian? and “Oriental? , Alan Hu
http://www.modelminority.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=183

And this article on the same website:

Libraries Continue to Index Asian Americans Under ''Orientals'
http://www.modelminority.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=183

As for the use of the term Oriental as it applies to food or rugs or other inanimate objects, even the most sensitive people consider that to be acceptable:

“…make sure you don't use the word "Oriental" in reference to the imperialists... at least not in Washington state. The Seattle Times reports that the State of Washington passed a bill prohibiting legislators from using the term "Oriental" to describe Asians in any
official correspondence, codes or legislation. The term may still be used to describe food and rugs, but not people.?

Political Correctness and the Power of Names by Walter Nowotny
http://www.churchoftrueisrael.com/nsforum/ns7-02a.html

“…The one [term] that is misused most often is "Oriental" instead of "Asian" when referring to people. Oriental is correct when referring to food, furniture or rugs, not when referring to people…?

Political Correctness and Diversity in Public Speaking, By: Lenora Billings-Harris
http://www.sideroad.com/Public_Speaking/political-correctness.html


So, to sum up, the term Oriental, when referring to a person, region, or custom, is perceived as a derogatory relic of Imperialism by North Americans (and some other countries), but is seen as an acceptable
descriptive term by Europeans and in many Asian countries.
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I am creating this group in order to foster an INTELLIGENT discussion about the usage of the words "Oriental" and "Asian" This group is not meant to simply deride those who use the word "Oriental" as being ignorant. Before creating this group, I searched facebook to see if there were already groups addressing this topic. While there are several that simply state in annoyed or angry terms that Asian people are not to be called "Orientals," (or even say that "Oriental" is the preferred term!) I... (read more)