Chrissy Teigen sparks outrage on Twitter for saying she does not find the term 'oriental' offensive
'I really appreciate all the non-Asians telling me what is offensive to Asians,' says the model
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Your support makes all the difference.Chrissy Teigen has prompted outrage in the Twittersphere for saying she does not find the word “oriental” offensive.
Oriental is seen as a contentious term by some in America and President Obama signed legislation banning the word from being used in federal law in May. The new law stipulates that “Asian American” must be used instead of “Oriental”.
Teigen, a 30-year-old model, has now sparked a far-reaching debate on social media after she posted a tweet about “oriental” salad dressing on Tuesday.
“I really really really really clearly am not a PC type of gal but I'm a little weirded out at the oriental dressing option on my flight,” Teigen, who is half-Thai, said. “Like if you're over 50 you can call me oriental to my face but this is a new menu and I'm not a rug.”
After users began to argue the term “oriental” was derogatory, she explained that she found the word outdated but was not personally insulted by it.
Teigen then responded directly to a commenter who questioned whether she though the word oriental was offensive, writing: “Not offensive, really. Just weird. Old school. Just say Asian.”
Teigen suggested the term was not a “slur” and was instead an example of “forgivable ignorance”.
“I disagree that it is a slur. But I'm not positive why, honestly. It just does not offend me,” she continued.
Teigen said ignorance, with no intention to hurt, was something she would struggle to be personally offended by: "Ignorance without malice isn't something I can be offended by".
"I really appreciate all the non-Asians telling me what is offensive to Asians, though. Thank you. Writing it all down".
Despite the fact Teigen insisted she herself was not offended, this did not stop being becoming offended on her behalf.
"I think we all get that you aren't offended @chrissyteigen. But you don't seem to get that it is offensive to most," wrote on Twitter user. While another said: "It might not be offensive to her but it's considered offensive to many. It perpetuates cultural ignorance".
Teigen is an avid tweeter and has frequently found herself in the limelight and even the firing line for her no-holds-barred, outspoken approach to the social media platform.
A representative for Teigen did not immediately respond to request for comment.
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