The Other Fellow's Point of View
By Humane Press Bureau
WHEN Chinese New Year's came along, a teacher spoke to her pupils as follows: You are just now treating the Chinese people with respect because they are giving candy, nuts, fireworks, and other treasures away, and you want a share. This is a good time to remind you that it would be more honest to be polite to them all the year round. I have heard children call them "chinks," a name that is very offensive to them. Even editors of newspapers use the term in print and in head-lines. Nicknames may be used among friends who like them. They are very rude when used by strangers, even if they are pleasant nicknames. They are seldom allowable when applied by children to grown people, and never when used by children in speaking of foreigners. The Japanese object to the shortening of their name to "Jap," Americans would not like to be called "Ame." "Ame" is an absurd name. So is "Jap" to the Japanese. The Japanese are an extremely polite people themselves, even when treated rudely. They set an example of courtesy well worth observing and following. There are a number of other nicknames to be avoided entirely; for instance, "nigger," "sheeny," and "dago." Politeness is an outward form, and more. It is an exhibition of inward kindness of feeling. Even surface politeness helps us to learn the real courtesy that should underlie all our conduct.