Changes

Thus, there is a certain degree of controversy associated with any politically correct term. So, while some people in 21st century America consider the term ''oriental'' derogatory, there are others who dispute this connotation.  

Thus, there is a certain degree of controversy associated with any politically correct term. So, while some people in 21st century America consider the term ''oriental'' derogatory, there are others who dispute this connotation.  

=== References and Sensitivity Guides ===

===References and Sensitivity Guides===

A number of reference works used in the United States describe ''Oriental'' as pejorative, antiquated or offensive "in some instances". However, the ''American Heritage Book of English Usage'' qualifies this charge by noting:

A number of reference works used in the United States describe ''Oriental'' as pejorative, antiquated or offensive "in some instances". However, the ''American Heritage Book of English Usage'' qualifies this charge by noting:

:''It is worth remembering, though, that Oriental is not an ethnic slur to be avoided in all situations. It is most objectionable in contemporary contexts and when used as a noun, as in "the appointment of an Oriental to head the commission". In these cases Asian (or a more specific term such as Vietnamese, Korean, or Asian American, if appropriate) is the only acceptable term. But in certain historical contexts, or when its exotic connotations are integral to the topic, Oriental remains a useful term.''<ref> "Asian." The American Heritage Book of English Usage [http://www.bartleby.com/64/C006/007.html#ASIAN]</ref>

:''It is worth remembering, though, that Oriental is not an ethnic slur to be avoided in all situations. It is most objectionable in contemporary contexts and when used as a noun, as in "the appointment of an Oriental to head the commission". In these cases Asian (or a more specific term such as Vietnamese, Korean, or Asian American, if appropriate) is the only acceptable term. But in certain historical contexts, or when its exotic connotations are integral to the topic, Oriental remains a useful term.''<ref> "Asian." The American Heritage Book of English Usage [http://www.bartleby.com/64/C006/007.html#ASIAN]</ref>

According to widely accepted textbook guidelines, there are many racially insensitive terms and concepts (including the word ''oriental'') which are to be avoided when used in conjunction with Asian people.  [[Diane Ravitch]], a former assistant [[Secretary_of_Education| secretary of education]] under [[Bill_Clinton|Clinton]] and [[George_Bush|Bush]](considered by many to be "one of the country's most spirited and respected education analysts" <ref>http://www.sacbee.com/content/opinion/story/6184665p-7139626c.html%20| Sacramento Bee, February 27, 2003 "Editorial: Policing the vocabulary Textbook sensitivity goes fanatic"</ref>) has documented a series of images and depictions which are banned from textbooks and references. (Examples below.)

According to widely accepted textbook guidelines, there are many racially insensitive terms and concepts (including the word ''oriental'') which are to be avoided when used in conjunction with Asian people.  [[Diane Ravitch]], a former assistant [[Secretary_of_Education| secretary of education]] under [[Bill_Clinton|Clinton]] and [[George_Bush|Bush]](considered by many to be "one of the country's most spirited and respected education analysts" <ref>http://www.sacbee.com/content/opinion/story/6184665p-7139626c.html%20| Sacramento Bee, February 27, 2003 "Editorial: Policing the vocabulary Textbook sensitivity goes fanatic"</ref>) has documented a series of images and depictions which are banned from textbooks and references. (Examples below.)

===Historical Connotations ===

===Historical Connotations===

In 19th century academia, some works in "Oriental studies" contained inaccurate information that Westerners then used to justify colonization of these countries. Some 19th and 20th century Europeans and Americans who used the term are thought to have held a patronizing attitude toward the region. Many of "these people" saw "the East" as backwards, while the West was seen as logical, rational and more modern. This view was first, and most famously, put forward by [[Edward Said]] in his [[Orientalism]].  

In 19th century academia, some works in "Oriental studies" contained inaccurate information that Westerners then used to justify colonization of these countries. Some 19th and 20th century Europeans and Americans who used the term are thought to have held a patronizing attitude toward the region. Many of "these people" saw "the East" as backwards, while the West was seen as logical, rational and more modern. This view was first, and most famously, put forward by [[Edward Said]] in his [[Orientalism]].  

While the term is clearly an example of [[Eurocentrism]], some people do not think Eurocentrism is undesirable. Additionally, many scholarly works in the 19th and 20th Century were riddled with errors, but the outcry to replace words and phrases has not be even-handed or uniform. For example, according to the [[Encyclopedia Brittanica]] and Tim McCaskell of the Toronto Board of Education, the works of [[Charles Linnaeus]], [[Charles Darwin]], [[Francis Galton]] and others have been used to justify many atrocities, including slavery, colonization, and racial genocide. Despite the fact that evil acts were justified by the works of these men, phrases such as the "[[Origin of Species]]"; the "[[Theory of Evolution]]"; the "[[General System of Nature]]"; "[[survival of the fittest]]" et.al., are still in use today. <ref>http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9108541/philosophical-anthropology</ref> <ref>http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jonmorro/race.html</ref> <ref> "A History of Race/ism", Prepared by Tim McCaskell, a representative of the Toronto Board of Education</ref> <ref>http://www.scholars.nus.edu.sg/victorian/history/empire/Empire.html</ref><ref>http://www.mediamonitors.net/harunyahya37.html</ref>

While the term is clearly an example of [[Eurocentrism]], some people do not think Eurocentrism is undesirable. Additionally, many scholarly works in the 19th and 20th Century were riddled with errors, but the outcry to replace words and phrases has not be even-handed or uniform. For example, according to the [[Encyclopedia Brittanica]] and Tim McCaskell of the Toronto Board of Education, the works of [[Charles Linnaeus]], [[Charles Darwin]], [[Francis Galton]] and others have been used to justify many atrocities, including slavery, colonization, and racial genocide. Despite the fact that evil acts were justified by the works of these men, phrases such as the "[[Origin of Species]]"; the "[[Theory of Evolution]]"; the "[[General System of Nature]]"; "[[survival of the fittest]]" et.al., are still in use today. <ref>http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9108541/philosophical-anthropology</ref> <ref>http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jonmorro/race.html</ref> <ref> "A History of Race/ism", Prepared by Tim McCaskell, a representative of the Toronto Board of Education</ref> <ref>http://www.scholars.nus.edu.sg/victorian/history/empire/Empire.html</ref> <ref>http://www.mediamonitors.net/harunyahya37.html</ref>

===Serious Opposition to Textbooks and Sensitivity Guides ===

===Serious Opposition to Textbooks and Sensitivity Guides ===

Although the definitions found in most dictionaries are sufficiently vague to argue for or against the appropriateness of the term ''Oriental'' in some contexts, many Americans feel that banning words and images has gone too far. Judge [[Robert Bork]] in ''Slouching Towards Gomorrah'' writes, "Now, however, the educational system has become the weapon of choice for modern liberals in their project of dismantling American culture."

Although the definitions found in most dictionaries are sufficiently vague to argue for or against the appropriateness of the term ''Oriental'' in some contexts, many Americans feel that banning words and images has gone too far. Judge [[Robert Bork]] in ''Slouching Towards Gomorrah'' writes, "Now, however, the educational system has become the weapon of choice for modern liberals in their project of dismantling American culture."

Scholarly works such as "[[The Language Police]]", "The Battle of the Books" and "Challenging the Myths about Multicultural Education" have argued for the continued usage of politically incorrect terms including ''Oriental''. <ref>http://mtprof.msun.edu/Win1994/PTrev.html</ref><ref>Battle of the Books: The Curriculum Debate in America 1993 James Atlas published by W W Norton & Co Inc</ref><ref>The Language Police: How Pressure Groups Restrict What Children Learn by Diane Ravitch (c) 2003 published by Knopf</ref><ref>http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ497173&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&objectId=0900000b8003e14e Challenging the Myths about Multicultural Education by Carl A Grant</ref><ref>"Multicultural Education Through the Lens of the Multicultural Education Research Literature." by J.A. Banks and C.A. McGee Banks (eds.). Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education NY: Simon. and Schuster Macmillan</ref> [[Diane Ravitch]] has documented the existence of an elaborate and well-established protocol of beneficent censorship, quietly endorsed and implemented by textbook publishers, states, and the federal government. "Publishers practice self-censorship to sell books in big states." <ref>http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375414824</ref> Ravitch has  documented "the 'bias guidelines'" for major publishers of texts and tests. "The "bias guidelines" consist of advice to writers and editors about words and topics that must be avoided."<ref>http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110003695</ref>

Scholarly works such as "[[The Language Police]]", "The Battle of the Books" and "Challenging the Myths about Multicultural Education" have argued for the continued usage of politically incorrect terms including ''Oriental''. <ref>http://mtprof.msun.edu/Win1994/PTrev.html</ref><ref>Battle of the Books: The Curriculum Debate in America 1993 James Atlas published by W W Norton & Co Inc</ref><ref>The Language Police: How Pressure Groups Restrict What Children Learn by Diane Ravitch (c) 2003 published by Knopf</ref> <ref>http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ497173&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&objectId=0900000b8003e14e Challenging the Myths about Multicultural Education by Carl A Grant</ref><ref>"Multicultural Education Through the Lens of the Multicultural Education Research Literature." by J.A. Banks and C.A. McGee Banks (eds.). Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education NY: Simon. and Schuster Macmillan</ref> [[Diane Ravitch]] has documented the existence of an elaborate and well-established protocol of beneficent censorship, quietly endorsed and implemented by textbook publishers, states, and the federal government. "Publishers practice self-censorship to sell books in big states." <ref>http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375414824</ref> Ravitch has  documented "the 'bias guidelines'" for major publishers of texts and tests. "The "bias guidelines" consist of advice to writers and editors about words and topics that must be avoided."<ref>http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110003695</ref>

Laurie Morrow, a former Salvatori Fellow of the [[Heritage Foundation]] and professor of English mocked proponents of political correctness and attempt to imply extreme sarcasm when she wrote the following in support of traditional usage of the term ''oriental'':

Laurie Morrow, a former Salvatori Fellow of the [[Heritage Foundation]] and professor of English mocked proponents of political correctness and attempt to imply extreme sarcasm when she wrote the following in support of traditional usage of the term ''oriental'':

Conversely, at least two state legislatures have passed or proposed legislation declaring a preference for terms other than Oriental in official documents. A finding by the Washington State legislature held that  

Conversely, at least two state legislatures have passed or proposed legislation declaring a preference for terms other than Oriental in official documents. A finding by the Washington State legislature held that  

:''the use of the term "Oriental" when used to refer to persons of Asian descent is outdated and pejorative. There is a need to make clear that the term "Asian" is preferred terminology, and that this more modern and nonpejorative term must be used to replace outdated terminology.''<ref> RCW 1.20.130: "Preferred terminology in government documents." [http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=1.20.130 Revised Code of Washington]</ref>

:''the use of the term "Oriental" when used to refer to persons of Asian descent is outdated and pejorative. There is a need to make clear that the term "Asian" is preferred terminology, and that this more modern and nonpejorative term must be used to replace outdated terminology.''<ref> RCW 1.20.130: "Preferred terminology in government documents." [http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=1.20.130 Revised Code of Washington]</ref>

In 2005, the California senate mandated that the terms "oriental massage" and "oriental medicine" in existing statutes be changed to "Asian medicine" and "Asian massage." <ref>[http://www.sen.ca.gov/sfa/2005/_05_DL11.HTM California State Senate]</ref> Despite this "mandate" businesses and schools across California and the country continue to employ the term. <ref>http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/education/schools.htm</ref><ref>http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=Typ&tuid=12363968&ck=2317990383&tab=B2C&tcat=8106973&city=Monterey&state=CA&uzip=93940&country=us&msa=7120&cs=4&ed=3Cjhzq1o2TwW0JlAiouvxdEhci7IWZ92n2SEvi.yLw_KCQ--&stat=:pos:0:regular:regT:2:fbT:0</ref><ref>http://www.csomaonline.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3289</ref><ref>http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypResults.py?stx=oriental+medicine&stp=a&tab=B2C&city=Los+Angeles&state=CA&uzip=90012&country=us&msa=4480&slt=34.052170&sln=-118.243469&cs=4&Submit=Search</ref> California has not purged the term from current documents or websites and the term remains on many pages which display "© 2007 State of California". <ref>http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/law_reg/art35</ref><ref>http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/exams/stats_mar2006.htm</ref> <ref>http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=27949&MERCURYSID=719fb03a0214a10a71b0f5217cfbddae</ref>   

In 2005, the California senate mandated that the terms "oriental massage" and "oriental medicine" in existing statutes be changed to "Asian medicine" and "Asian massage." <ref>[http://www.sen.ca.gov/sfa/2005/_05_DL11.HTM California State Senate]</ref> Despite this "mandate" businesses and schools across California and the country continue to employ the term. <ref>http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/education/schools.htm</ref> <ref>http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=Typ&tuid=12363968&ck=2317990383&tab=B2C&tcat=8106973&city=Monterey&state=CA&uzip=93940&country=us&msa=7120&cs=4&ed=3Cjhzq1o2TwW0JlAiouvxdEhci7IWZ92n2SEvi.yLw_KCQ--&stat=:pos:0:regular:regT:2:fbT:0</ref> <ref>http://www.csomaonline.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3289</ref> <ref>http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypResults.py?stx=oriental+medicine&stp=a&tab=B2C&city=Los+Angeles&state=CA&uzip=90012&country=us&msa=4480&slt=34.052170&sln=-118.243469&cs=4&Submit=Search</ref> California has not purged the term from current documents or websites and the term remains on many pages which display "© 2007 State of California". <ref>http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/law_reg/art35</ref> <ref>http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/exams/stats_mar2006.htm</ref> <ref>http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=27949&MERCURYSID=719fb03a0214a10a71b0f5217cfbddae</ref>   

<ref>http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/law_reg/1399_45_modtext.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/pubs_forms/cons_guide_2002.pdf</ref>

<ref>http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/law_reg/1399_45_modtext.pdf</ref> <ref>http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/pubs_forms/cons_guide_2002.pdf</ref>

===In Business===

===In Business===

===In Academia===

===In Academia===

Many universities no longer accept the usage of the term ''Oriental'' when describing people. <ref>http://www.freewebs.com/bannedwords</ref> However, the highly-regarded [[American Oriental Society]] and many others continue to use the term in its publishings. <ref>http://www.degruyter.de/journals/zac/261_5290_ENU_h.htm</ref><ref>http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/default.html</ref><ref>http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/linguist/index.html</ref><ref>http://www.ksi.edu/seke/cpol.html</ref>

Many universities no longer accept the usage of the term ''Oriental'' when describing people. <ref>http://www.freewebs.com/bannedwords</ref> However, the highly-regarded [[American Oriental Society]] and many others continue to use the term in its publishings. <ref>http://www.degruyter.de/journals/zac/261_5290_ENU_h.htm</ref> <ref>http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/default.html</ref> <ref>http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/linguist/index.html</ref> <ref>http://www.ksi.edu/seke/cpol.html</ref>

===Other===

===Other===

<ref>http://www.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel03/release121903.htm</ref><ref>http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2003/feb2003/feb03leb.htm</ref>  

<ref>http://www.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel03/release121903.htm</ref><ref>http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2003/feb2003/feb03leb.htm</ref>  

Conservative commentators <ref>http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=16541</ref> and prominent Filipina [[Michelle Malkin]] regularly employ the term. <ref>http://michellemalkin.com/archives/000239.htm</ref> <ref>http://michellemalkin.com/archives/006107.htm?print=1</ref> <ref>http://michellemalkin.com/archives/000239.htm</ref><ref>http://www.altavista.com/web/results?itag=ody&pg=aq&aqmode=s&aqa=oriental&aqp=&aqo=&aqn=&aqb=&kgs=1&kls=0&dt=tmperiod&d2=0&dfr%5Bd%5D=1&dfr%5Bm%5D=1&dfr%5By%5D=1980&dto%5Bd%5D=4&dto%5Bm%5D=11&dto%5By%5D=2006&filetype=&rc=dmn&swd=michellemalkin.com&lh=&nbq=10</ref>.

Conservative commentators <ref>http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=16541</ref> and prominent Filipina [[Michelle Malkin]] regularly employ the term. <ref>http://michellemalkin.com/archives/000239.htm</ref> <ref>http://michellemalkin.com/archives/006107.htm?print=1</ref> <ref>http://michellemalkin.com/archives/000239.htm</ref> <ref>http://www.altavista.com/web/results?itag=ody&pg=aq&aqmode=s&aqa=oriental&aqp=&aqo=&aqn=&aqb=&kgs=1&kls=0&dt=tmperiod&d2=0&dfr%5Bd%5D=1&dfr%5Bm%5D=1&dfr%5By%5D=1980&dto%5Bd%5D=4&dto%5Bm%5D=11&dto%5By%5D=2006&filetype=&rc=dmn&swd=michellemalkin.com&lh=&nbq=10</ref>.

The Oriental Food Association <ref>http://www.orientalfood.org/</ref>, Oriental Bellydancer Association  <ref>http://www.orientdance.ru/index_e.htm</ref><ref>http://homepage.realtv21.com/?userid=obda_1&pagetype=&viewno=94</ref>, The Association of Oriental Arts <ref>http://www.art-virtue.com/demo/2006-TaoArt/index.htm</ref>, the Shriners <ref>http://www.webruler.com/shriners/oriental.htm</ref><ref>http://www.ladiesorientalshrine.org/home.html</ref> and other social groups continue to use the term. The American Association of Oriental Medicine and many other state-specific associations of oriental medicine still use the term. <ref>http://www.aaom.org/ Website of American Association of Oriental Medicine</ref> The World Wide Web has a profusion of "oriental" [[pornography]] and so-called [[mail order bride]] sites that exploit stereotypes as well desperate individuals on both sides of the transaction. <ref>http://www.oriental-bikini.com/</ref><ref>http://www.orientals.com/</ref><ref>http://www.orientalcompanion.com</ref>  The Oriental Martial Arts College and other martial arts organizations employ the term regularly. <ref>http://www.omacworld.com</ref><ref>http://www.west-meet-east.com/martialarts.htm</ref><ref>http://www.orientalmartialarts.org/</ref>

The Oriental Food Association <ref>http://www.orientalfood.org/</ref>, Oriental Bellydancer Association  <ref>http://www.orientdance.ru/index_e.htm</ref> <ref>http://homepage.realtv21.com/?userid=obda_1&pagetype=&viewno=94</ref>, The Association of Oriental Arts <ref>http://www.art-virtue.com/demo/2006-TaoArt/index.htm</ref>, the Shriners <ref>http://www.webruler.com/shriners/oriental.htm</ref><ref>http://www.ladiesorientalshrine.org/home.html</ref> and other social groups continue to use the term. The American Association of Oriental Medicine and many other state-specific associations of oriental medicine still use the term. <ref>http://www.aaom.org/ Website of American Association of Oriental Medicine</ref> The World Wide Web has a profusion of "oriental" [[pornography]] and so-called [[mail order bride]] sites that exploit stereotypes as well desperate individuals on both sides of the transaction. <ref>http://www.oriental-bikini.com/</ref> <ref>http://www.orientals.com/</ref> <ref>http://www.orientalcompanion.com</ref>  The Oriental Martial Arts College and other martial arts organizations employ the term regularly. <ref>http://www.omacworld.com</ref> <ref>http://www.west-meet-east.com/martialarts.htm</ref> <ref>http://www.orientalmartialarts.org/</ref>

===Regional Variations===

===Regional Variations===

Major objections to the use of the word "Oriental" are chiefly limited to certain elements in [[North America]]. Its usage is not controversial in [[Europe]], where the word is considered neutral and in widespread usage as evidenced by its usage on the online British Monarchy Media Centre.<ref>http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page5495.asp</ref> In France the terms "l'Occident" and "l'Orient" are used without any negative associations in academic contexts. In Europe the term is often used to describe such things as [[Eastern world|the East]]'s cuisine and goods, ancient culture, and religions, at times to denote an exotic quality with upmarket or mildly positive connotations. In the UK the term "[[Asian]]" has become almost exclusively tied to the [[Indian subcontinent]], as evidenced through [[BBC Asian Network]], a radio station of the BBC devoted to the [[British Asian]] community.

Major objections to the use of the word "Oriental" are chiefly limited to certain elements in [[North America]]. Its usage is not controversial in [[Europe]], where the word is considered neutral and in widespread usage as evidenced by its usage on the online British Monarchy Media Centre.<ref>http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page5495.asp</ref> In France the terms "l'Occident" and "l'Orient" are used without any negative associations in academic contexts. In Europe the term is often used to describe such things as [[Eastern world|the East]]'s cuisine and goods, ancient culture, and religions, at times to denote an exotic quality with upmarket or mildly positive connotations. In the UK the term "[[Asian]]" has become almost exclusively tied to the [[Indian subcontinent]], as evidenced through [[BBC Asian Network]], a radio station of the BBC devoted to the [[British Asian]] community.

==Notes==

==Notes==

===References and further reading===

===References and further reading===