Japanese

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

In real life, I would never use the term "Jap" or "Japs". It is an offensive term when used in a modern context.

In the context of WWII gaming, calling my opponent's troops "Jap Troops" I don't think is offensive, put in that context, and kept here. It's just what US commanders called them. Same with Huns or Limeys or Frogs or whatever......in a modern context, unacceptable, in WWII gaming, good clean fun in my opinion. I use all the time in my AAR against Cuttlefish.

Does anyone else see the difference in these two contexts?

I understand Shark7s point, I wouldn't want to be called a Colonialist Yankee Dog IRL, but within the context of this forum or AE, I don't have a problem with it at all.

In the context of an AAR with characters being 'in character' it would be out of place if the characters did not use the derogatory terms. After all, you can't exactly portray Halsey being politically correct. However, in regular conversation, it isn't appropriate. There is a time and place for it, but not every time or place is the right time and place.

[m10bob]

Just my observation that most "political correctness police" are huge hypocrites, or have the need to be the guilt-conscience of the world.. Call me Piankeshaw.(No happy face intended.)

[Canoerebel]

I use "Jap" constantly in my AAR - not to be derogatory but as a handy abbreviation. If I wanted to be insulting I would use "Nips," but I never have and never will. Not a soul in here uses "Jap" in a derogatory sense. Quit nitpicking.

[Mike Scholl]

ORIGINAL: hjalmar99

Life is too short for this silly "correctness".

[Dis]respect lies in the context. When someone uses "Jap" as shorthand for "Japanese" the context usually shows that no disrespect is intended. Read first. Then decide whether or not to whine.

I agree. When my Father used the term, he meant it disrespectfully, even hatefully. But then my Father got out of the US Army on December 1st, 1941..., bought a new car with his savings, and drove home to the girl who had been waiting for him. Before the month was out, he'd been recalled to duty, had to sell the car at a loss, and his girl said she wouldn't wait again. As far as Dad was concerned, Pearl Harbor was a Japanese plot to ruin his life. And he never forgave them.

When I use the term, it's because I'm lazy and don't want to type the whole word every time. People who get upset about that really need to "get a life".

[mjk428]

When referencing the people of Japan I'm very careful to be sure and type the full "Japanese". They are post-war allies that I respect.

When referencing those that fought against my family during WW2 they will forever be "Japs". The nicest term I can come up with in a family forum. I'm 1/4 German and also wouldn't hesitate to call those the US fought during WW2 "Krauts". Neither historic group deserves any respect and they brought that on themselves.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: m10bob

Just my observation that most "political correctness police" are huge hypocrites, or have the need to be the guilt-conscience of the world.. Call me Piankeshaw.(No happy face intended.)

Huge, massive, complete agreement on this. My decision to go with a different abbreviation has nothing to do with PC (which is all P and no C!). My own decision to go with IJ, etc. instead of Jap is just my own expression of respect, moving on from WWII, etc, and sensitivity to the fact that some Japanese reading here might mistakenly think I was being disrespectful toward them. I do not find anyone using 'Jap' on this forum disrespectful, because respect is what you mean in context (not what PC fascists tell you that you mean!).

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: m10bob

Just my observation that most "political correctness police" are huge hypocrites, or have the need to be the guilt-conscience of the world.. Call me Piankeshaw.(No happy face intended.)

Huge, massive, complete agreement on this. My decision to go with a different abbreviation has nothing to do with PC (which is all P and no C!). My own decision to go with IJ, etc. instead of Jap is just my own expression of respect, moving on from WWII, etc, and sensitivity to the fact that some Japanese reading here might mistakenly think I was being disrespectful toward them. I do not find anyone using 'Jap' on this forum disrespectful, because respect is what you mean in context (not what PC fascists tell you that you mean!).

I think you will find the majority of us 'regular Joe's' aren't politically correct. The thing is the few people that are (and most are hypocrites) throw fits and file lawsuits if you offend them...oh yeah, its a great way to make someone pay you. They are drowning the rest of us in a river of crocodile tears TBH.

There is real prejudice in the world, no one denies that; however, the PC crowd is just looking to be offended the way I see it, and its easy to get offended when you are actively looking to be offended.

Just my opinion, if it offends you...get over it! [:)]

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: m10bob
Just my observation that most "political correctness police" are huge hypocrites, or have the need to be the guilt-conscience of the world.. Call me Piankeshaw.(No happy face intended.)

Huge, massive, complete agreement on this.

Me too. I deal with Japanese on a professional basis almost weekly. They refer to themselves in text and conversation as Japs. They recognize it is a shorthand. If they don't care, why should you? I'm really tired of little PC nazis who think their view of global sensitivity must be imposed on everyone else.

The issue is one of politeness. I shall always endeavor to be polite. But I will never bow to venal psychobabel.

Get a clue; get a life; view the world as it is; it is a wonderful place.

[Historiker]

One more reason to like you, john!

[DuckofTindalos]

As said previously, we could choose far more derogatory titles. I personally think "Nip" sounds worse than "Jap", even though technically, it means exactly the same. That doesn't mean I would hesitate to use it for a microsecond.

We could use acronyms as well, like SLYS.

So go away, political correctness. We don't want what you're peddling.

[crsutton]

I don't use it in public or in conversation. But in the context of this forum do not find it objectionable. I doubt anyone here really means to offend.

[Ketza]

Maybe we should call them the red team as far as AE is concerned [:'(]

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

I don't use it in public or in conversation. But in the context of this forum do not find it objectionable. I doubt anyone here really means to offend.

Only PC twerps.

[Kwik E Mart]

abbreviations...gotta love 'em...in college, if someone asked if you were in a "frat" (fraternity), the correct response was always, "Frat? Do you also call your country a c*nt?"

to remove all confusion, i recommend that anyone that wants to use the word "jap" as a racial slur, place an asterisk after the word [:D]

[Dixie]

I've got better things to do with my time than worrying whether I'm being PC or not. If I mean to insult someone then you'll know [;)] I use much worse words than Jap to describe people I like.

Using Jap doesn't bother me, it's just a shortened version of the word. Much like Brit doesn't cause me any offence. Honestly, the whole thing just feels like people looking to be offended and telling me how to think.

[joliverlay]

Yank is a good example.  If the folks using the term disliked american soldiers (some war enemies) the term can be an insult, just as it can be used in a friendly way by your friends and allies.  The English did not (often) call us Yanks as an insult, but others may have. 
 
"Jap" is the short form of a longer name.  The insult, if any is in the context of its use.  Because it was often used, in wartime, in an insulting context, it may have become an insult to some then, but it should not be today.   
 
If you are offended please do not use the abbreviation US when you mean the United States of America.  I find might find it offensive. 
 
 

[bstarr]

ORIGINAL: Shark7I think you will find the majority of us 'regular Joe's' aren't politically correct.

although it is not my name, I find it insulting that you used the term 'regular joe' - i'm sure josephs everywhere now have hurt feelings but they are too insulted to speak up so I will do so for them - I think you should use the term regular joseph. [:D]

[DuckofTindalos]

Are you sure it's not Josephine?[:'(]

[Venividivici10044]

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I appreciate the robust commentary from both sides of the aisle.  What one finds offensive, another may not.  I apologize if I have insulted anyone here; I do stand by my right to have an opinion. My racial background is german; my parents emigrated to the United States shortly after I was born.  I married a Japanese woman and we have spoken of this issue on occasion and are both in agreement that terms regarding races that can be construed in a derogatory manner are best not utilized.

In reading the forums, I have seen wide use of the term and understand that many use it for an abbreviation.  While I don't care for it; I will leave the matter from this point forward.


Peace

[Zakhal]

It is just faster to type the 3 letters. Nothing more. I call yanks yanks, japs japs, ruskies ruskies and you can all call me finn or whatever. Estonians call finns reindeers and that doesnt bother me either allthough I dont use it because its too long.

However I dont use the "N"-word(?) Language interested people actually removed all references to that word in the past years. When I was a child we had chocolate candy called "n-kisses". All stuff like that was corrected.

This is of course only in internet and in real life I use whole different set of PC rules.