I think the term "Kraut" is used affectionately by Germans when referring to themselves. My family is mainly English, Scottish, Dutch, and German, and a recent line of my family immigrated from Bavaria. It is not uncommon to hear the word Kraut used at large family gatherings.

I understand that Japanese were called "Japs" during the war, but it is still an offensive term. Japanese never have and even now do not refer to themselves as "Japs". So it is different from the use of the word "Kraut". Try calling a Japanese American "Jap" and see how they respond. It is not a good way to make friends.

My dad referrs to blacks as "colored", because in his day that is the term they used. Our culture now considers the term racist, and we don't use the word out of respect to African Americans because they don't like it. My father continues to use the word because "that is what we called them when I grew up" excuse, but it doesn't take away from the fact that it is disrepectful.

We called Vietnamese "Gooks" during the war, but we don't call them that now. It is offensive.

I don't understand why "Japs" is still considered to be acceptable to all you guys.

The "historical context" is b.s., it's like so many other racial epithets are today.

At the PH ceremony today, none of the Japanese participants were referred to in any other manner than respectful. If it was good enough for the vets, it is probably good enough for a internet Mercedes forum,

Thank you. I had a feeling you'd understand. ;)

It most certainly is not BS. We can not and should not clean history to meet our 2006 standards. The best way to learn it is as it was. Really thats the only way to really understand it.

I talk to many WW2 vets that use that term, in addition some still will not buy cars from that area of the world.

I will refrain from using the term because it clearly upsets some of our friends here. But I stand by my position.

When I study history I want to learn it as it really happend, racial slures and all. Then after being learned one can have debates on such stuff if they wish.

I don't understand your position.

Basically you are saying that because Americans freely used a racial epithet in the past, then it is o.k. to use the term today?

Why is this different from using the "n" word today? You certainly wouldn't call blacks the "n" word because it was used historically.

Hatterasguy, regardless of it's historical pedigree, it's still an offensive racial slur, Pedigree does not make it any less of one. I don't think you meant to use the term to bring up some of the ugliest, racist themes of the late 1930's and 1940's, but that's it's true historic connotation.

Here is another aspect for the term subject to discussion being obsolete:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_American_internment

Excerpt:
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation which apologized for the internment on behalf of the U.S. government. The legislation stated that government actions were based on "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership",[

Clearly my position isn't clear.

For one I am not arguing about the term, I am arguing about its use in an historical context. If you think its racist, sure you are entitled to that. But that’s not what I am talking about.

I am saying that during the period of history that we are referring to, said term was used as an abbreviation as far as I can tell. Please correct me but I have seen a lot of news real footage and print. In the context that I beleive the term was used at the time, I view it as a typical "lazy" American abbreviation. I do not deny that there were strong racist feelings towards the Japanese during this time period, who could. But I think that connecting said term so concisely to said racism is short sighted and a mistake.

All I am arguing is that it was used, and in a historical context is quite pertinent to any discussion about this era.

Should we go back and edit all the various N words out of works done in the 19th century because we don't like them today?

But heck I love Japanese art, entertainment, culture, ect ect. Even have picked up a few words and sayings here and there. But what do I know.

http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/t.../img/top22.jpg

How could one dislike a country that brings us good cartoons? Even if the currant batch is marginal at best, *cough*

http://www.denbeauvais.com/three_d/3d_images/KATANA.JPG

Katana's

http://www.maison-de-stuff.net/john/...n/SANY0016.JPG

And this, now thats a view.

I think everone is entitled to their own view ... this is what makes an OPEN discussion so valueable.

Personally I learn immensely through other peoples views, it creates consideration.

More than ever, times are very sensitive, esp. when it comes to such things ....

I see the term 'Kraut', I've never known it as a slur referring to germans ... I'm getting a real crack out of it. :laugh2:

I also have high respect for the Japanese, yet I don't even know much about them ... disciplin, traditions, ethics ...?

It's not that your position isn't clear Hattie. It's that someone asked you to stop because you're hurting them and you refuse to acknowledge it.

I was also under the impression that it was just an abbreviation.

You know, Japs is short for Japanese.

Chinks/Chinese. Maybe?

It never occured to me that it was a racial slur. I'll have to google it.

On the other hand, he did apologize.

I'm of Cuban descent and am hard pressed to think of an equivalent, shortened name that would be offensive to me.

They used to call us Puerto Ricans up in Kearny, NJ(Remember Kamil). It was offensive only because those crackers(offensive) couldn't distinguish between the 2 nationalities.

Have a great day guys. And leave Hattie alone. We have enrolled him in sensitivity training.:behead: :idea2:

Maybe he meant a Jewish-American girl or woman regarded as being pampered or overindulged.

:)

What? That's news to me. I thought all Hispanics were Mexicans.

Gook is not a good comparison unless there are "Gookanese" runninig around somewhere in SE Asia.