snood - I understand that you disagree, and can only respectfully suggest that you consider the possibility that not everyone sees the world as you think they do.
FYI: I found a discussion of this question elsewhere on-line, and found this response among those there:
Quote:It probably is offensive, but most younger Japanese (read: Japanese Americans) are not offended by it, and we use it among ourselves, despite its derogatory origins. After all, it's only a shortened form of the word itself.
POSTED 2/2/2003
Kaori, San Francisco, CA, United States, 26, Female, Asian, research, Over 4 Years of College, Upper middle class, Mesg ID 1213200280922
http://www.yforum.com/best020203.html
Now, is my point of view really "tripe"? Because if it is, I guess you need to contact Kaori and tell her she is wrong about her opinion as a Japanese American.
Personally, I would expect most persons of Japanese lineage to find the term offensive, and do not use it. But that's not the same thing as believing that everyone views the term as I do.
Interestingly, Kaori's comments above seem to suggest that this word is being used amongst Japanese Americans in the same way that the "n" word seems to be fair game if used amongst blacks. I would prefer a single standard of conduct for all; either a word is verboten, or it is fair game.
