Quote:
Originally posted by Snakeeye@May 23 2005, 10:01 PM
Much like dismissing rampant corruption as "to be expected"?
Actually, I find this all rather interesting. I think the biggest disconnect here is that not everyone has the same understanding of various words and their connotations. I certantly agree that the word "Jap" is a racial ephitet, specifically for the reason you mention - it was once used as a derogatory term to describe the enemy. I suppose a visual parallel would be the swastika, which was completely corrupted by the Nazi's, and it's meaning was changed forever.
However, an individual's reaction to such words will be colored by their experiences. Logically, "Jap" should be no different than "Can" to describe a Canadian, but unless you have experienced first hand the usage of such a word, you probably dont really understand it's hidden meaning.
Hell, I remember a fight I had with someone on here before who was very offended at my usage of the word "indian" to describe native americans. For him, it was a serious offense, but the common usage here, where the reserves are even described as the "so and so Indian Reserve", the meaning such a word conveys was different for him than it was for me.
Also, I wouldnt hold the use of the word "Jap" against a person who experienced - personally, or second hand through the tales of a loved one - the kind of torture the "Japs" subjected our soldiers to. While we and (hopefully) our immediate families are fortunate to have never endured such treatment ourselves, I would think a person with such experience would not think too kindly of the perpetrators of such.
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The swastika is just a symbol and it can't be offended or the victim of racism any more than a question mark can be.
I haven't experienced first-hand usage of the word Jap but I know what it means and it is racism. Anyone with half a brain should know what it means. Anyone who holds political office should definitely know what it means.
What this guy's grandpa went through is not an excuse. Millions of Canadians are related to victims of that war. We wouldn't accept a politician saying "the stinking krauts killed my Grandpa" or "my uncle was killed by a wop". It's okay though to say it about Japanese people? I don't think so.
He couldn't have said "those Japanese soldiers were bas**rds"? What's wrong with that? Did he have to use the charged word "Japs" to get his point across? I guess he thought he did. Pretty stupid thing to do IMO and just another in a long line of easily avoidable mistakes.
I wonder if Harper has ever said in a caucus meeting "don't say anything that sounds remotely racist to a reporter". He really should bring it up if he hasn't.