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Kat Chow's Essay 'Oriental' Father

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In Kat Chow’s essay “My ‘Oriental’ Father”, she conveys her thoughts on the word “oriental.” Her father, who had come to the U.S. from Hong Kong, still uses the word “oriental.” The correct terms used by scholars and activists are Asian or Asian American. Chow would prefer her father use one of these scholarly terms instead. She is worried if he continues to use the word “oriental,” people will continue to view him as foreign. This is something she has felt throughout her life. As a young girl, Chow had an experience with her white friend who used racist remarks against her. When she was a teenager, a woman at her place of employment, was surprised by how well Chow knew English. Chow was offended by this, because why wouldn’t she speak English
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