cxm said:
FYI, the Japanese Americans fought in Europe... against the "Krauts", "Square Heads" etc. and that is what they called them (worked with a guy of Japanese descent) who fought in Italy who confirmed that fact.
Actually, I liked the translation from the Chinese of the term for Caucasian one of my friends told me about -- "white devil".
Oh, and don't start in on the "Krauts" -- my wife is one.
Further, I note the fact the term "Jap" and "Nip" didn't seem to present a problem... as he considers himself to be an American... never having become hyphenated as so many are today.
It depends on the delivery. I don't think anyone I know of considers it a slur, coming from a friend. From others, given with negative tone (not saying the instance on this thread was -- it was obvious what situation he was talking about), it would probably be taken differently. Sort of like African-Americans (or Blacks -- "Negroes" is out of style) calling each other n*gg*r. One of my friends (not Black) used the term during a basketball game with some close friends, just being "one of the guys". One friend pulled him aside and quietly explained, "You don't say 'n*gg*r'; you say 'nigga', and YOU don't say it."
My friend never thought of himself as anything but American... and he would be offended to be considered as anything else...
And that is why so many fought in WWII -- showing that they and their families considered themselves Americans (as they were).
The terms we used to describe the Germans (or Italians) were used universally, including by those who came from German lineage... everyone understood it was the enemy being described...
Correct. That was when they were the ENEMY.
Sorry. Didn't mean to ruffle so many sensitive people.
(Hey, looks a little Asian, doesn't it?
) I'm really not all that PC, just wanted to point out that we're done with WWII. Hope I didn't generate any ill will in 'Tejas'. It's always been my understanding that there are old-timers there who have supported the Japanese-Americans, partly in recognition of the incident with the trapped battalion ("Lost Battalion") of the 36th Division.