The "J word" Discussion (1 Viewer)

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marco55 said:
In the US the term "black" at least where I live is used to describe people of African decent,no one else.The people of African decent that I know call themselves black not African just like I don't call myself European but white.
Mark
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Thanks Mark, yes I'm aware of it's use in the US to describe those of Africans decent and that's one of the reasons I raised it in my post. Although I completely understand the whole 'black & white' phrase thing when referring to race is totally accepted as the norm in the US, else where it can be considered offensive.

In saying that, I don't have an issue with other Nationalities using the term in their own countries, but use the word 'black' here to describe the Maori & Pacific Island population and it would go down like a lead balloon. Put it this way, if I used it in any context regarding race while at work, I'd get myself in some serious trouble.

However our use of the term 'Jap/s' to describe Japanese troops in WW2 is totally acceptable here and no one would banter an eyelid if you used it in that context.

As Brett pointed out, the Japanese conduct both during and prior to WW2 in Asia and the Pacific is still a very sensitive issue for many of us down here. I personally have nothing but utter contempt for their troops and will never own a Japanese TS figure unless it's on the receiving end of some cold steel.

For example, they beheaded a group of our 'coast-watchers' (civilians) captured on several Pacific Islands during WW2 and to date have refused to tell us where they were eventually buried. Such atrocities leave lasting scars, even today.

I don't have a problem with modern Japan or it's population and would never refer to them as 'Japs', however as for their fellow countryman during WW2, I have nothing nice to say about them.
 
I have read through the posts in this thread and I still do not understand one thing?

If a Japanese soldier committed any form of atrocity it is ok to refer to them with the "J-word"? But if they didn't and/or were born after the war it is not ok?
 
Bottom line is, weather some like it or not , 'Jap' is no more than a abbreviation of the word Japanese....a total storm in a tea! The Japanese of WW2 were deservedly called much worse.....get over it!
 
Well then heeb is just short for Hebrew, so I guess it's now ok for you to call me that? Same logic you're using, isn't it.

Ps, I don't recommend it.
 
zblang said:
Well then heeb is just short for Hebrew, so I guess it's now ok for you to call me that? Same logic you're using, isn't it.

Ps, I don't recommend it.
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Jap is only a no..no because you are making it so.....as I said get over it.

 
zblang said:
Well then heeb is just short for Hebrew, so I guess it's now ok for you to call me that? Same logic you're using, isn't it.

Ps, I don't recommend it.
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Zach, you mentioned that you considered it worthwhile to have a conversation about a member's use of military slang in reference to Japanese troops. I took your comments at face value, having absolutely no reason to believe otherwise. However, personalizing your criticism, as directly above, serves no legitimate purpose. You're polarizing and dividing the participants along what are clearly ideological lines. If this is all that the thread is destined to evolve into, then I'd suggest that it be closed.

-Moe
 
zblang said:
Well then heeb is just short for Hebrew, so I guess it's now ok for you to call me that? Same logic you're using, isn't it.

Ps, I don't recommend it.
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Zach,

There are some people whom you will never convince and it's not worth the bother. The world is not perfect. This forum brings together all kinds of people, some of which you like, some not; some you get along with, some not. That's just the reality. At this point I'd probably stop. You've said your piece as did I in the Dispatches thread so there's not more that needs to be said.

Brad
 
The Military Workshop said:
I think it is all in the context of how it is used. If I am talking about the Japanese in WW2 then probably the context is not positive.

Some may recall a few years ago an Aussie forum member used the word "Pom". I think it was in a cricket thread. Somebody reported it and the moderator deleted it and left the reason as rude or insulting.

I have been in Australia for 19 years and am considered a "Pom" (ie. from UK). I have never taken it as an insult because in any conversation where it has been used it was not in a manner I considered insulting. I actually wrote to the Mods to express my shock that it had been considered an insult. I thought the person who reported it was being a bit "precious". I have however seen it used online towards me, by a moron, when it was clearly intended as an insult.

I am getting the feeling Americans are much more sensitive over these issues than perhaps Australians and Brits are. If I heard "Here's my Jap Zero" at a modelling show it would not raise an eyebrow. It would be regarded as short form. I doubt an Australian could have come up with the word kike or something similarly derogatory towards an Israeli or Jew. Other than movies and rap songs on the radio the N word just does not come up in my world. Not many African Americans or Jews in Brisbane and even if there were would not be using those terms.

I just looked back and noted the four people who used the word Jap were two from UK and two from Oz. I suggest you Americans lighten up and forgive us colonials as you guys live with this sensitivity far more than we do.
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In what sense are you using the term 'moron'? Moron is a term once used in psychology to denote mild intellectual disability. I assume you use it in its modern form to denote 'a stupid person'. Words change over time!
 
I've been called a moron whilst on United Nations Peacekeeping, didn't bother then and wouldn't bother me now.
I have been called a lot worse as well.
Supposed grown men arguing over a word, priceless.
 
zblang said:
Well then heeb is just short for Hebrew, so I guess it's now ok for you to call me that? Same logic you're using, isn't it.

Ps, I don't recommend it.
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Moe's right, you're now clouding the issue and trying to take it to a whole new level.......I wouldn't recommend it!

Incidentally, I've never heard the term 'heeb' before and never likely to use it either.

Strange post.
 
Desertkiwi said:
Moe's right, you're now clouding the issue and trying to take it to a whole new level.......I wouldn't recommend it!

Incidentally, I've never heard the term 'heeb' before and never likely to use it either.

Strange post.
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Toddy,
He may have meant hebe, which in New Zealand is a plant.
 
As this post seems to be going down the looney tunes way.
Should we not spare a thought for the Martians.
How would you like to be known as the little green men from Mars,they may in actual fact be well over 6 feet tall, and not even be green.Then there is also E T,who right now may even be phoning home to let his family know that we humans are all different with so many opinions.
 
In the context of World War II, I have no problem with saying "The Japs attacked Pearl Harbor" or "The Japs were responsible for 30 million deaths during World War II," or referring to a Mitsubishi A6M5 as a "Jap Zero." When I attended UCLA in the 1960s, the best and brightest students, generally speaking, were Japanese-Americans from Gardena whose fathers were gardeners and Jewish kids from Beverly Hills and the west side. I didn't consider them to be Japs nor ever referred to them that way. In addition, my best friend and fellow political science major was Jewish as was my Rieber Hall dorm roommate. I only thought of them as Mark (Moss), whose dad owned a clothing store or as Ed (Gershon), who was from New York City, nothing else.
 
The fun police on here had better write to the Commando Comic people and tell them to stop using the words,krauts, japs and eyeties.
They have been publishing war comics since the 1960's.
 
Zach,
You can't really compare the jewish people to the mid century Japanese who did horrible things to millions of people of all nationalities.I think Brett said it best when he said a word bothers you more than the death of millions.
Mark
 
I think this is all going a bit far.

I think we all know that Japan was responsible for horrible crimes against humanity and has not atoned for those crimes. When I look at WWII Japanese figures, I see Nazis in different uniforms. The crimes committed during that war still inspire powerful emotions in many people, including myself. It took my half my life to be able to set foot in Germany, knowing that they enslaved, murdered, and burned my relatives. It is taking my longer to get over the pictures of Japanese soldiers skewering women and children with their bayonets, because I don't feel like I can forgive crimes that don't involve me.

I think we can also agree that the term "Jap" offends good people who are our friends and acquaintances, even when we use it in an historical or abbreviated context. Our understanding of the propriety of this particular use depends on our own backgrounds. I think some members may be a bit more sensitive to such things, but NOT because they are "PC" or because they in any way sympathize with the crimes of the Japanese in WWII. I am actually the Editor of a newspaper that has drawn national coverage for its attacks on "PC" culture. I repeatedly get harassed on my college campus for the anti-PC stance I take. That said, I believe in common respect for other people, and I never go out of my way to demean someone or make them feel uncomfortable.

The question remains: should we use the term "Jap" to describe Japanese WWII figures? I think that is a personal choice. I will not, just as I will not attack someone who offends me unintentionally.
 
Gentle Friends,

It seems this topic has facilitated the arousal of our emotions and there have been moments of spirited interaction demonstrated within our discussion. However, it is time to draw this discussion to a close before spirited interaction becomes heated conflict. Therefore, I am closing this thread.

Thanks to all who have participated. Now, it is time to return to conversations regarding toy soldiers.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat
 
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