Hi Itachi,
Of course I knew it became demonized after WWII, but since I wasn't born yet, I don't think of it as a derogatory term. To me, it's just another quick way of saying something; we speak in a ridiculous number of abbreviated terms these days. So if someone says they drive a "Jap Car", usually it's because they are proud to have had the good sense to buy a Japanese car. I certainly am. And many Americans, including myself, feel a strong kinship with the Japanese; certainly not a disdain or a lack of respect. So although it hasn't yet been forgotten as a derogatory term, hopefully that chapter in history is getting far enough behind us that we (including Japanese Americans) will eventually be able to think of it as just another abbreviation, which is how almost any thinking person thinks of it now.
Best to ya.

 

Though I was born close to 30 years after the end of WWII, I did have Grandparents that used the term Jap and when they did, it carried no love, that is for sure. I don't think they were ignorant people, they just watched Pearl Harbor unfold and I think there was quite the knee-jerk reaction to hate Japan.

I would think (and maybe I'd hope) the residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki felt the same way about the USA.

Either way, I personally would never say "Jap" when talking about a Japanese person, knowing the way it'd come out.

That being said, as Steeldog pointed out, the original poster did have a period and he was simply abbreviating...I think that period makes all the difference in the world. I read that as "Japanese" when I was reading it...if the period wasn't there, I would have read "Jap" and would have probably questioned the tone.

Personally, I love the Japanese...they have designed and built some awesome cars and bikes and I am thrilled to own and recommend them! Every Japanese person I have ever met has been extremely gracious and friendly. Hopefully it's OK to associate positive things with a group of people...too often it seems that a group of people are associated with something negative.

 

Ah yea no worries, I was just spreading some education around, haha! Yea, I'm part japanese, but I don't take offense to the word jap, its in the past, and should remain in the past. BTW, I own a metallic silver fit, and I am proud to say I am a happy owner!

 

i am 100% Japanese and been driving cars long before a lot of
you were even out of your diapers. grew up in the houston area
where racism was at its peak, also took shit during japan bashing
days in the 80's while living here in the midwest. i was brought
here when my pops was transferred out here for work from Japan.

"Jap" had a very negative heavy meaning in those days but we all
know kids these days dont know wat jap really means now other
than an abbreviation for japan...so i dont take offense anymore.

FYI, proper way to abbreviate Japan is "Jpn". or "J-" but again,
the term Jap does not mean much any more... only to those that
think it does and for those people, its 2008. let it go.

 

Amen! Now if only people would stop using that acronym for spoiled Jewish girls...LOL

 

Well guys this one was so good. I just ran accross the last chapter of the story so here it is:

A Crushing Issue: How to Destroy Brand-New Cars - WSJ.com

Ivan