Parcells Slurs "Orientals"? - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**trickblue** · 06-07-2004

"No disrespect to orientals... But Sean has a few "Jap Plays" he likes to run"...

In this day of our overly PC society... this will probably overshadow the Reagan funeral being that the Cowboy HC said it...

NOVA 22 · 06-07-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by trickblue

"No disrespect to orientals... But Sean has a few "Jap Plays" he likes to run"...

In this day of our overly PC society... this will probably overshadow the Reagan funeral being that the Cowboy HC said it...

I'm not even really sure what that means, and I don't think it will even get picked up.

**trickblue** · 06-07-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOVA 22

I'm not even really sure what that means, and I don't think it will even get picked up.

He was talking about having to keep an eye on Zim and Payton... no big deal to me... but SOMEONE will pick up on it... this is Dallas we are talking about...

**Sarge** · 06-07-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by trickblue

"No disrespect to orientals... But Sean has a few "Jap Plays" he likes to run"...

In this day of our overly PC society... this will probably overshadow the Reagan funeral being that the Cowboy HC said it...

Harmless.........

**BrAinPaiNt** · 06-07-2004

At one time I do not think the term "Orientals" was seen as offensive but maybe I am wrong.

Used to be that it was the word that was for anyone that was from the asian area.

Now the term is asians instead of orientals.

The merian websters definition says it is offensive "sometimes".

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionar...tals&x=12&y=17

However I think the other term he used has been considered racist since after the war or maybe before that.

However maybe someone else could help me out as I truly do not know about this term.

However I watch a show called deadwood on HBO and I have noticed they use the term "Celestials" to describe the chinese...I have also seen it used in some other older western movies.

Why were they called celestials?

**trickblue** · 06-07-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrAinPaiNt

At one time I do not think the term "Orientals" was seen as offensive but maybe I am wrong.

Used to that is what the word was for anyone that was from the asian area.

Now the term is asians instead of orientals.

The merian websters definition says it is offensive "sometimes".

However I think the other term he used has been considered racist since after the war or maybe before that.

However maybe someone else could help me out as I truly do not know about this term.

However I watch a show called deadwood on HBO and I have noticed they use the term "Celestials" to describe the chinese...I have also seen it used in some other older western movies.

Why were they called celestials?

It's not the "oriental part" they will pick up... it is "Jap-Plays"...

viman96 · 06-07-2004

If that is what he said, then it is total BS he does not get any sh!t for it

C'Mon! We all know it is ASIAN, not Oriental. Get with the times Bill

thor_01 · 06-07-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrAinPaiNt

At one time I do not think the term "Orientals" was seen as offensive but maybe I am wrong.

Used to be that it was the word that was for anyone that was from the asian area.

Now the term is asians instead of orientals.

The merian websters definition says it is offensive "sometimes".

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionar...tals&x=12&y=17

However I think the other term he used has been considered racist since after the war or maybe before that.

However maybe someone else could help me out as I truly do not know about this term.

However I watch a show called deadwood on HBO and I have noticed they use the term "Celestials" to describe the chinese...I have also seen it used in some other older western movies.

[View Full Quote]

the stars of the orient.........china has always been considered the star of the orient since ancient times thus celestials...........

and referring to the japanese as japs, well homeys one of those thingys as far as i am concerned, may make me a racist too, but my father was in world warII and somehow that just don't seem that bad..................

Barrister · 06-07-2004

I am an Asian, with numerous "oriental" friends (e.g., chinese, japanese, korean, etc.). I can say confidently that "oriental" is NOT generally considered an offensive term (of course, there are MANY otherwise harmless words which, used in the wrong context, can easily be construed as offensive). Now, "Jap-plays" is another story altogether. I don't think that term can EVER be used in a non-offensive manner.

Personally, I don't care, and I certainly didn't find it offensive (although I may have to ask my Japanese friends for their thoughts), and I seriously doubt that this gets picked up, anyways.

Armageden Eagle · 06-07-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by thor_01

the stars of the orient.........china has always been considered the star of the orient since ancient times thus celestials...........

and referring to the japanese as japs, well homeys one of those thingys as far as i am concerned, may make me a racist too, but my father was in world warII and somehow that just don't seem that bad..................

No, it's bad! My dad was in WWII, all of my uncles were in Korea, and I was in the Air Force during Vietnam -- but that has nothing to do with an Asian American's perspective!

Look, we all have our Biases, but there's no need to perpetuate those beliefs. There's a little something called respect for fellow Americans regardless of race, creed ...

Hello!

Gooch · 06-07-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by thor_01

the stars of the orient.........china has always been considered the star of the orient since ancient times thus celestials...........

and referring to the japanese as japs, well homeys one of those thingys as far as i am concerned, may make me a racist too, but my father was in world warII and somehow that just don't seem that bad..................

it's not PC to use the term "Japs" anymore. Just because it was accepatable to use that term during WWII does not make it accepatable nowdays. Id rather not bring up other examples of terms acceptable for use during the 40's that are completely taboo nowdays. Poor choice of words, but does that make someone a racist? Who knows, but I'm not sure that Parcells use of that word was meant in a malicious manner. Chances are, this will get some press since there are plenty of folks waiting to for any negative stories with "Cowboys" attached to the headline.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 06-07-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by thor_01

the stars of the orient.........china has always been considered the star of the orient since ancient times thus celestials...........

and referring to the japanese as japs, well homeys one of those thingys as far as i am concerned, may make me a racist too, but my father was in world warII and somehow that just don't seem that bad..................

Thanks for the info.

viman96 · 06-07-2004

I'm Japanese and personally I do not like the comment. But this type of comment is something that you just need to let go. We have become way to PC.

Armageden Eagle · 06-07-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by viman96

I'm Japanese and personally I do not like the comment. But this type of comment is something that you just need to let go. We have become way to PC.

I agree with you. Just curious though -- you stated you are Japanese -- you didn't say Japanese-American or Asian American. There is a distinct difference between African Americans and Africans; Italian Americans and Italians. No disrespect, but do you know where I'm coming from? There's one common denominator that threads all of the above -- we're all Americans!

Either way, Bill Parcels appears to have used an offensive term.

Cajuncowboy · 06-07-2004

This is just crazy. Here is a story from ESPN where the only one not offended was the Japaneese guy. Come on people.

IRVING, Texas -- Bill Parcells caused a a stir during his news conference after Dallas Cowboys minicamp Monday with offensive remarks. He called surprise plays used in practice "Jap plays," referring to Japan's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

"You've got to keep an eye on those two, because they're going to try to get the upper hand," Parcells said about quarterbacks coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. "Mike wants the defense to do well, and Sean, he's going to have a few ... no disrespect for the Orientals, but what we call Jap plays. OK. Surprise things."

After a murmur in the room of reporters, which included a Japanese journalist, Parcells repeated, "No disrespect to anyone."

"Bill Parcells is a brilliant coach," John Tateishi of the Japanese-American Citizen's League, a national civil rights group told DallasNews.com. "Unfortunately, he is ignorant about racial slurs. I take great offense by what he said. Parcells ought to know better. He sorely needs more education on what is offensive and non-offensive to Japanese-Americans. I am shocked that he would say this."

Parcells later released a statement, apologizing for his comments.

"Today during my news conference I made a very inappropriate reference, and although I prefaced it with the remark, 'no disrespect to anyone intended,' it was still uncalled for and inconsiderate. For that I apologize to anyone who may have been offended," he said.

Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said the "organization apologizes to anyone who may have been offended."

Akira Kuboshima, editor of American Football Magazine in Japan, said he wasn't offended, though he knows many Japanese will be.

"There is a lot of chance for someone to feel offended," Kuboshima said. "To me, it was no big deal."

Parcells spoke to Kuboshima, offering what the reporter perceived to be an apology. Kuboshima said he was surprised more by the reaction of other reporters than the comment.

That comment was only part of Parcells' 45-minute session with reporters, in which he also talked about the team's quarterback competition, players at several positions and some of the new additions.

He said he isn't going to be as patient in his second season with the Cowboys.

After three straight 5-11 seasons, the Cowboys went 10-6 and reached the playoffs in their first year under Parcells. Still, he expects better in 2004.

"That doesn't mean we'll win more games," Parcells said. "That just means I think from head to toe that we have a chance to be better. I really believe that."

Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who had two of his Pro Bowl seasons for Parcells while with the New York Jets, came to Dallas in a trade with Tampa Bay.

Vinny Testaverde was reunited with his old coach last week, leaving the Jets as a free agent. The 40-year-old quarterback will compete for the starting job with incumbent Quincy Carter and serve as a mentor to Drew Henson, who was added this spring after he quit professional baseball.

"These guys that were here last year, they've already bought into it. From that alone, we'll be a better team," running back Richie Anderson said. "We already know what to expect. He's not going to allow certain things to happen or go on."