baldness?

First of all, there is no such thing as an 'oriental' ethnicity. Be careful, there are those who would take this as blatant ignorance and let you have it. To be honest, I am a little irked myself due to some previous experiences. However, I am sure you are a nice guy so... it's cool.

Yes, orientals can go bald. Baldness is not a case specific to certain ethnicities. Actually, no one is really sure of the specific cause of baldness. Of course, large amounts of radiation will make you go bald, but that can not be everybody.

Second largest population of KKK? Eck. Do you live in the midwest?

In particular the North-European, blond guys.
The less likely to go bald are American indians (or whatever you want to call them).

Of course I'll be gland to oblige you, sir.

As I said, there is no such thing as an 'Oriental' ethnicity. Being 'Oriental' is a cultural thing, and not knowing this difference could be mistaken as blatant ignorance.

Now for why it is insulting. Many Asians find this term insulting or, if insulting is too strong a word, politically incorrect. It stems back to the age of imperialism. "Oriental" became a term that was associated with the difference between Europe and Asia, where Europe was seen as learned and modern, while Asia was seen as exotic, albeit backward. This is an example of the dreaded "Eurocentrism" or, as some would say, an example of white supremacy. This in turn became used to justify the imperialist actions by Europeans in Asia.

There is another reason. "Oriental" is a blanket term for a great number of nationalities. For a patriot like myself, you might as well as spit in my face. It is just like saying "You're one of those guys". My country is seperate from Japan, or China, or Indonesia, as I am sure the people of those countries see themselves as different from the Philippines. The same thing applies for the term "Middle Eastern", but that is a whole new can of worms. Believe it or not, some Asians actually equate this term with "nigger".

As you have said, some Asians actually prefer this term for whatever reason, but a large part of the Asian American population does not. However, I am happy to know that you are in contact with people who are not so picky as I.

I don't think many asians even mind being called oriental, or asian.  They would mind if you start calling them chinese, or jap, especially when they are not from those countries. 

can orientals (ethincity) naturally go bald without shaving their heads? i have just never seen an oriental that was bald. of course i only see a few non-whites around here, some years ago we had i believe the 2nd largest population of the KKK about an hour's drive from where i live

There's a lot of bald people in Asia, believe it or not.  Like Tokugawa Yeiasu was bald.   Many old asian people I know or on the news are bald...I mean, there's many degrees of baldness, after all. 

However, most asians, if they are bald, fall into the middle degree- bald in the centre, but not on the sideways.  (The previous statement was just an educated guess based upon my experience)

 

Originally posted by Menippos is this politically correct enough, Belisarius?

Could be more...

Originally posted by Menippos You are very difficult to please. Enlighten me then, how do I refer to all eastern Asia, including the surrounding islands?

Lords of the Universe, Masters of Etiquette, Keepers of Knowledge, etc. Actually I was just kidding when I said that. That was quite correct... politically. I am glad you are have fun, though. You have no idea how annoying it is for a large number of educated Asians when presumptuous people take away our identity. Not that I am saying you are presumptuous, you are just fun. I know you are just kidding... aren't you?

Very well then, my respect to you.

Now for why it is insulting. Many Asians find this term insulting or, if insulting is too strong a word, politically incorrect.

Depends on where you live, in the UK its the defacto term for east Asians, because Asian = Indo-Pakistani for most Brits (and like the US the British cultural imagination has 'racialised' the Asian label, just differently). So few people here seem to care that much. I guess cultural context is important.

As for baldness, get out more.
But to chip in an observation of my own, it seems to be that men who go start to go bald at a relativly young age, are somewhat hairy elsewhere. That said, i tend not to stare to much.


Edited by Cywr

Originally posted by Cywr [quote] As for baldness, get out more.

i really can't. im about 17, i the closeset big(relative in the area im in) city, is Denver which is about 1 - 1.5 hours away and i have no reason to really go to denver just to find bald east Asians(is that how i should refer to them?). and, for the T.V. i don't get too many channels (very few that even have the potenial to see east Asians) and i don't like to watch TV(execpt really good movies.