The Slants

[+ purplekow]

They won a Supreme Court case to trademark the name the Trademark Bureau contended is offensive. Song is entitled Sakura Sakura and Sakura is a cherry blossom for those, who like me, are unfamiliar with the word.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/SlantsVideos

[rvwnsd]

So THAT's the case my phone's news teaser alert was referring to.

[Chad Constantine]

Why did they say the word Sakura is offensive? I wonder if they even knew the myth of the Sakura.

[+ purplekow]

Why did they say the word Sakura is offensive? I wonder if they even knew the myth of the Sakura.

The name of the group is The Slants, slants may be used as a derogatory name for Asians and hence the refusal to give them trademarks, which was the source of the freedom of speech case. They won the case, much to the delight of the management of the Washington Redskins.

[Chad Constantine]

Omg SJW's at it again smh. 1) Slants is not a derogatory term for Asians that would be slant-eyed. 2) Even if it were The Slants are Asian-American 3) Just like the Washington Redskins Case it is just a bunch of privileged people getting selectively outraged for other people who really could careless because they have more important thing to worry about.

[rvwnsd]

...Just like the Washington Redskins Case it is just a bunch of privileged people getting selectively outraged for other people who really could careless because they have more important thing to worry about.

Privileged people such as The Cherokee and Comanche Nations of Oklahoma, The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, the Oneida Indian Nation, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the United South and Eastern Tribes, and the Navajo Nation.

[+ beethoven]

One of the smaller parks in New York City is Sakura Park, near Grant's Tomb, Columbia University, Riverside Church and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine:

 

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/sakura-park/history

[Chad Constantine]

Privileged people such as The Cherokee and Comanche Nations of Oklahoma, The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, the Oneida Indian Nation, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the United South and Eastern Tribes, and the Navajo Nation.

 

Yes because every American is privileged. At least there main culture survived unlike my ancestors the Taino Indians who inhabited Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola [Haiti and the Dominican Republic], and Puerto Rico. They dont have to worry about being deported. Yes there may be a high poverty rate but unlike others in the world they are not starving to death. There is really more important things in this world to be outraged about then a sports team name. If that is really a big issue for you your way more than privileged. I just wish people would remember the rhyme sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.

[Jim Corrigan]

Yes because every American is privileged. At least there main culture survived unlike my ancestors the Taino Indians who inhabited Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola [Haiti and the Dominican Republic], and Puerto Rico. They dont have to worry about being deported. Yes there may be a high poverty rate but unlike others in the world they are not starving to death. There is really more important things in this world to be outraged about then a sports team name. If that is really a big issue for you your way more than privileged. I just wish people would remember the rhyme sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.

The problem is words can quickly turn into sticks and stones or worse

[+ Eric Hassan]

Omg SJW's at it again smh. 1) Slants is not a derogatory term for Asians that would be slant-eyed. 2) Even if it were The Slants are Asian-American 3) Just like the Washington Redskins Case it is just a bunch of privileged people getting selectively outraged for other people who really could careless because they have more important thing to worry about.

 

If you read an interview with the band, they very clearly state they experienced "Slants" as a slur/derogatory term for Asian folks. Part of their reasoning for choosing the name "The Slants" is to reclaim what was once a derogatory term, much like "queer" and "nigger" have been reclaimed by other groups. They maintain, like many other groups, that using the terms that were previously used to shame, belittle, and disparage groups of people brings the power back to the community.

[+ purplekow]

If you read an interview with the band, they very clearly state they experienced "Slants" as a slur/derogatory term for Asian folks. Part of their reasoning for choosing the name "The Slants" is to reclaim what was once a derogatory term, much like "queer" and "nigger" have been reclaimed by other groups. They maintain, like many other groups, that using the terms that were previously used to shame, belittle, and disparage groups of people brings the power back to the community.

Just as we Italian-Americans have reclaimed the term WOP and are moving toward legislating that DO WOP become not only the national music, but the national pastime.

[+ azdr0710]

some debate going on now over changing the name of much-beloved Squaw Peak, a landmark in Phoenix and obviously named for its appearance similar to a female breast (as many mountains are named for).....amid controversy, the mountain name itself was changed to Piestewa Peak several years ago by governor proclamation, honoring the first female Native American killed in overseas military action....nearby streets and other entities bearing the name are now being considered for change.....many do not even consider the word "squaw" to be derogatory, but there is history, politics, and appearance to consider

 

http://www.gemland.com/images/sqpeak.jpg

[+ purplekow]

Well as I mentioned in a different posting, Words with Friends is with this as well, as the game did not allow me to place the "squaw" (on a triple letter q and triple word score) noting that it was not a word. I had never heard the term slant used to defame Asians. I had two Asian friends in high school and when we were out together I heard many demeaning terms thrown their way, but slant as an isolated word was never one, slanty-eyed, yes, and others which were even more offensive.

[+ nycman]

Score one for the PUNKS!!!!!!

 

FUCK YEAH!

[boiledeggz]

Of course it's a slur. It would not be provocative if it were not a slur. And like others have stated, it follows in the long tradition of minorities reclaiming words that were used to demean them. It's a way of flipping the script and to neutralize the effect of those words. Similarly, The show "Fresh off the Boat" is based on a common slur or name used for new Asian immigrants, FOB.