03-20-2017, 02:43 AM
(03-19-2017, 12:45 PM)oncemoreuntothejimbreech Wrote: The definition of the Orient has changed over time. One definition is the area east of Europe which could mean the Cossacks are Oriental or Asian depending upon which term is preferred. I think it is more common for the British to use the term Oriental and Americans to use Asian. Although I don't think there is any standard. I think it is just something that has changed over time and varies by location/culture. I think if we looked at the US Census it would probably list Asian as a category instead of Oriental. I have some trouble with Asian vs. Pacific Islander. These terms and definitions aren't set in stone and change.
This is kind of where I'm at with this. However when I think Oriental I think China and Britain, which may explain why the term Asian is a preferred term with Asians as a descriptive? I'm not sure. Kind of like why do some prefer Latino vs Hispanic, Black vs Negro, White vs Caucasian. And I'm not sure what everyone prefers regarding there own ethnicity, but pretty sure what most do not prefer these days. So if I'm describing someone to somebody else, I describe as if I was describing to the police..."he looked liked a White, Black, Asian, or Latino (after reading that, I get that it could be funny, but I hope you get the gist.) If I have more details I might say..."European or American, African or Dominican Republic, Chinese or Vietnamese. It would simply depend on the details I'm aware of. To me it comes down to what group of people do not wish to be referred to as such. Whites don't want to be called "cracker", and Blacks don't want to be called "negroes", and Natives don't want be called "Indians"....so on an so forth.
