Oriental

[Kim & Rima McKinzey]

I forwarded the question on our thread to a friend (who was just
installed as President of the Seattle Japanese American Citizens
League).   Some of it had already been brought up, but herewith her
response:


>As for Asian vs Oriental--it is like Black vs Negro.  The terms oriental
>and negro are used by some older, more conservative types but it is a
>matter of self naming.  orient is in reference to occident.  The primary
>point of view is the occident.  I use "oriental" for things, "Asian" for
>people.  Safest way is to ask a person which term they prefer.  There are
>several:  Asian American, Asian Pacific Islander, Asian Pacific Islander
>American, and then there are terms for each of our ethnic
>groups--Laotian-American, Nikkei, Issei, Nisei, Sansei, Yonsei,
>Chinese-American--etc.  Thanks for asking.