Whore of the Orient title under fire for being racially insensitive

[snowComet]

The Sydney Morning Herald reported, Brendan McNamara and Australian production company Kennedy Miller Mitchell, creator of L.A. Noire, recently came under fire from a prominent member of the Australian-Chinese community, as he think the title is an ''attempt to disgrace Chinese culture, history and traditions''.

 

 

What's worse, says 28-year-old Jieh-Yung Lo, it is using government money to do so.

The O-word is very similar to the N-word for African-American communities.

 

''The most shocking revelation is that [game developer] Team Bondi received $200,000 from Screen New South Wales to develop the project,'' said Mr Lo, who has vowed to take his complaint to the Human Rights Commission on grounds of racial vilification.

''Australian institutions should be encouraged to fund projects and initiatives that cultivate  mutual understanding and prosperity in the Australia-China relationship. We need to build greater trust and cultural understanding rather than promote division and negativity.''

 

 

 

http://www.polygon.com/2013/9/2/4684922/whore-of-the-orient-title-under-fire-for-being-racially-insensitive

 

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/racially-insensitive-computer-game-faces-challenge-over-title-20130901-2syu0.html

 

*This topic could quickly got out of hand. I hope everyone could keep calm during discussion, and try not to attack, or abuse others becoz of their own beliefs...

[Langdon]

As a Chinese person, I didn't even know "Orient" is a racist term. 

I feel no offence to the title of the game because of this. I'd be fine with them releasing it, in fact, I'd probably play it, looks like a good game.

[snowComet]

As a Chinese person, I didn't even know "Orient" is a racist term. 

I feel no offence to the title of the game because of this. I'd be fine with them releasing it, in fact, I'd probably play it, looks like a good game.

I am a Chinese, and I have never realized that "Orient" is a racist term either. I have been to various countries (for work or travel), and I had never encounter anyone use this word as an insult to Chinese.

[dlf]

I think I'd feel more offense to the word "whore" then to Orient.

[catbutts]

As a Chinese person, I didn't even know "Orient" is a racist term.

I think I'd feel more offense to the word "whore" then to Orient.

+1, but I'm Japanese.

[EChondo]

Really? Just a bunch of crying babies that get offended over anything.

 

Ignore them, let them cry like the children they are.

[Tigerbomb8]

The definition of Orient:

The countries of Asia, esp. eastern Asia

 

Jieh-Yung Lo needs to grow the *beep* up and learn to use a dictionary. 

[Puppet]

Yeah I'm a racist and I have never used the term oriental to offend an Asian.                        (kidding about the racist part )

 

 

Australians are so sensitive when it comes to gaming, I feel for the gamers out there.

[ExDreamer]

I believe what he means is that when peoples play this game,they will associate the word whore with orient thus bring bad publicity to chinese culture.

[EChondo]

I believe what he means is that when peoples play this game,they will associate the word whore with orient thus bring bad publicity to chinese culture.

 

Nah, I don't think so.

 

 

 

"The O-word is very similar to the N-word for African-American communities"

Obviously he is talking about Orient being as offensive as Nigger, even though what you said makes sense, what he says is different.

[ExDreamer]

Nah, I don't think so.

 

Obviously he is talking about Orient being as offensive as Nigger, even though what you said makes sense, what he says is different

He is wrong then. For me orient is another term for chinese,so i think the word is not racist at all.

[TheMail]

+1, but I'm Japanese.

yay~ Japanese brofist!

私は大阪で育った

 

but in all seriousness, the Asian people were never really enslaved by Europeans, so there's kindof a lack of context towards them

[Puppet]

How are we going to get rid of racism?

 

"Stop talking about it" - Morgan Freeman

 

I think these people could take a leaf out of Mr Freeman's book here, being too politically correct in itself can be a form of racism. I can't pretend to understand if the term Oriental is offensive or not, but complaining about it is probably doing more damage than the actual title of the game.

[ijKs Snow]

Did that article really use the term "O-word" for Orients?

 

*Facepalm*

 

But, to be honest, there could have been many better titles for a game about Chinese history.

 

Not because the name is offensive, but "Whore of the Orient" just sounds so cheesy and seems to be trying too hard.

 

Imagery should be subtle yet powerful, but using the word Whore just seems like they are trying to shove it in your face like "THIS IS A GRITTY GAME FOLKS!"

[RuecanOnRails]

I would find it more racist if they used the word origami. That's how ridiculous I find this.

 

I've always used orient and orientation in terms of direction... but who know's maybe I'm a racist, this article seems to think so

[Razarza]

Yeah I'm a racist and I have never used the term oriental to offend an Asian.                        (kidding about the racist part )

 

 

Australians are so sensitive when it comes to gaming, I feel for the gamers out there.

It isn't Australians, it is just our government.

[Puppet]

It isn't Australians, it is just our government.

 

Yeah that's what I meant (wasn't being a nationalist :lol:), the government seems to be very quick to react to a small amount of complaints in the media industry.

 

I don't think it's fair on the rest of the Australians.

[totjup5]

People need to just calm down.

[Ethnod]

I think people need to chill the hell out man, I mean the title means nothing. Look at "Call of Juarez" one of the most racist games around and the title means nothing really

[skullbringer]

So it is as bad to call an Asian person a "Orient", as it is to call a person with black skin "Nigger"?

 

An ''attempt to disgrace Chinese culture, history and traditions" ? 

 

Looks like we now got HUMAN RIGHT TROLLS!

 

[gliliumho]

I think "Orient" kinda refers to mainland Chinese. I'm a Malaysian Chinese and I don't like being mixed up as mainland Chinese but I really don't find that offensive. 
It's only offensive when people use it with the intention to insult. 

[kuddlesworth9419]

I'm sure a whore berry is also equally as offensive but that doesn't get a name change.

[stevv]

never heard of the game till now... maybe that was the plan.  :rolleyes:

[qwertywarrior]

"Orient" is a racist term?????

what the hell

[ShiverMePenguins]

+1, but I'm Japanese.

japs UNITE!