<p>It goes back much further than the war years whether it is White 49ners using violence and murder to seize Chinese claims once the latter discovered gold in what was formerly considered “worthless land”…or just because they “didn’t like furriners”, 1882 exclusion act, or the 19th century generated fears of “Yellow Peril”…which influenced that war propaganda and racism against Asian-Americans to the present. </p>
<p>It certainly was a factor in the murder of Vincent Chin in 1982 considering his murderers were motivated by such influences when they mistook him for being one of the “furriners” threatening their jobs.</p>
<p>The murder of Vincent Chin continues to be a terrible stain on our society. As I recall, his killers got relatively light punishment. Also, in years past I’ve met Asian-American alumni from UMichigan who said that they were not fully comfortable as students during the nadir of the Detroit autombile industry in the late 1980s.</p>
<p>If something like this occurred at the time without any racial implications, it would likely have been seen as an example of “soft on crime” plea bargaining and sentencing practices, since the 1980s was a time of increasing consciousness and fear of high crime rates and increasing “tough on crime” attitudes which led to a much greater tendency toward imprisonment for longer sentences in many states.</p>
<p>UCBalumnus, I believe that venue had something to with the result of the case also. If the Vincent Chin incident had occurred in Seattle for example, a region with a significant Asian-American population, I think that the local prosecutors would have been more strict in the penalty for a manslaughter plea (if the murder charge was taken off the table at all). The public would have demanded it.</p>
<p>And I am offended by blond jokes. Those are clearly meant to insult white girls specifically. I am offended by all racial and sexist jokes. I have a diverse family and tolerating racism or sexism going one direction or the other is not ok, regardless of which direction. I will not allow my daughter to wear shirts like “girls rule, boys drool” or “anything a boy can do, girls can do better.” It is just not ok. Likewise with anything racist, regardless of the direction. EVERYONE needs to treat EVERYONE with respect.</p>
Or else, lmkh70 will darn sure either put you in jail under some “bias” charge, get you thrown out of school, or worse. lmkh70 and all those politically correct hamsters like him/her have all the answers for the rest of us and if we don’t like it, then tough, baby. The concept of “freedom” is the one concept that is never treated with respect by lmkh70 and his ilk. I will await the shackles, like the rest of us insensitive boobs who must be punished, yeah drowned like the reprobate witches in the 1600’s we surely all resemble.</p>
<p>I vote this as the wisest comment on the thread.</p>
<p>The current college generation grew up when porn became mainstream and rap music with <em>offensive</em> lyrics was the norm. I know our parents had difficulty accepting pot culture, the pill, “free love,” and feminism. Its time to get with the times, moms and dads. If you know your college kids are not abusing women or having sex for money, relax and don’t fret over a word.</p>
<p>Bay: That would seem sensible, maybe, except that argument is used to legitimize the language when words truly are used in a hostile way. One hears the justification “kids call themselves that” to provide cover for words spoken by adults and people of power who really do mean to intimidate, mock or malign.</p>
<p>Well what do you think, saintfan? Are the men in the fraternity expecting the women who attend their party to act like “hoes” and have sex for money? Do you think that is what the women who attend the party are planning to do?</p>
<p>The Chin killing was less about race than the rising Japanese automobile economic power that was killing Detroit autoworkers–not an easily dismissed group. The hatred was more institutional/economic than directly racial. Detroit workers felt that Japanese carmakers had many economic advantages they were using to put them out of work. People don’t act wisely when their livelihood is directly threatened. And it clearly was. So a mentality grew that hated anything Japanese/Asian. You did not dare drive a Japanese car around Detroit back then either.</p>
<p>UCBalumnus, I’m not confident that the statistic you cite regarding the Asian demographic is accurate, but even if it is, the achievement and standing of the Asian, particularly Japanese community in Seattle was and is significant. Just as our Jewish bretheren wield a measure of cultural and civic influence that exceeds their numbers, so too does the Asian American community in the Pacific Northwest, including in the 1980s, which is why I think the Chin case would have gone down differently in that region.</p>
<p>And Barrons is right about the broad promotion of antagonism, some of it explicitly racial, in Detroit during the first decline of the Big Three. News video of American autoworkers smashing a Toyota with sledgehammers was a bit scary. Not as vile as Kristalnacht but not that far off, either.</p>
<p>did you really just compare someone getting raped to someone choosing what kind of clothes to wear and choosing to go to a certain party? The women on college campuses choose to attend these events. They are free to choose not to as well.</p>
<p>Why is it completely unacceptable? Unacceptable to who? Again, if all the women on campus thought it was unacceptable, they would not attend. Right?</p>
<p>Furthermore, it is hilarious to me that you find no issues with the racial stereotypes, but plenty of issues with the female stereotypes. BTW, do you have issues with the male stereotypes as well? Surely most males are not “tennis pros” or “CEOs” or “Execs” either.</p>
<p>I am not saintfan, but I don’t think it’s wrong to say that some people (male and female) go to frat parties looking for sex. I’m sure they don’t go looking to pay someone or be paid though.</p>
<p>Funny, because I have never been called politically correct…ever. I don’t even attempt to be. I am more of a realist who sees that racism is going in a lot of directions and too many people call the “race card.” I will not allow it in my home.</p>
<p>lmkh70 - You clearly do not understand the meaning of the phrases “politically correct” or playing (not calling) “the race card.” Everything about your Post #87 shouts “politically correct”. “Girls rule, boys drool” is about as inoffensive as you can get, but it is forbidden in your house. Your family your rules, but don’t pretend not to be politically correct.</p>
<p>Playing the “race card” means that you are accusing someone else of being racist (real or imagined). Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are famous for “playing the race card”. Remember the Duke lacrosse team?</p>
<p>Back to the original topic: Nobody seems to be too bothered about insulting the Spanish conquistadors. Just so I’m clear, you can insult Spanish, but not Hispanic peoples?</p>