Is the term "Rice" racist?
I'm a proud owner of a Mustang GT, an Asian American, my mother is of Korean descent and my grandfather fought in WW2 (for the U.S. side). I was born here in the U.S. and have never been outside the country.
I know that "Rice" or "Rice Burner" is shorthand for import, as in Honda or any other car that is made outside of the U.S. But it is also a reference to a food product that is common to Asian countries, as in Asians eat rice and, apparently, some Asian has tried to use it as a fuel? Of course not, I know.
As someone who is Asian I can't say "that car with the Alteezas is so 'Rice'" or "nice crappy body kit on your 'ricer burner,' Yao."
I mean, sure, I can say it, but you gotta admit, it sounds a little weird coming out of someone "with them slitty eyes." Plus, my Asian pals with both imports and with Mustangs, Corvettes, Porsches and Ferraris would look at me like "I showed up at a KKK meeting dressed up like Boy George" [Bill Hicks].
I am positive that there are parts of my Mustang, let's say the electronics, which were made far outside of the U.S. and, most likely, in Japan or Taiwan or South Korea or one of those other countries with people living there who eat a lot of rice. I guess as long as nothing involved in the consumption of fuel in my Mustang is foreign made, it can't be called a "rice burner."
The Forum Rules say, "1. No personal attacks
This includes, but is not limited to, name calling, racial slurs, personal threats, physical threats, badgering, etc."
I know no one is personally attacking me by calling imports "rice burners" but I like to say import because it sounds a little less "red neckish," not to offend any red necks here.
Don't want to get all P.C., just thought that, from where I'm sitting, maybe the term "Rice" has an inherent racist quality to it, intentional or not. If you're into your car, you trick it out, tune it, whatever, and it's made by any company in or out of the U.S., I'm all for it.
There's plenty of 1/4 miles out there to settle which one is better, import or domestic.
Thanks for your time!
-Joe