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C
camel jockey, camel driver
Avoid (racial slur). Derogatory term for Arabs.
camp
When Japanese Canadians refer to "CAMP," they mean the
camps -- also called relocation, detention, internment or concentration
camps - into which they were forced to relocate during World War
II.
Cantonese
Chinese dialect spoken in and around Canton, China, located near
the South China Sea. It is spoken in one province in China.
Cao-Dai
Vietnamese religion
caste system
Although discrimination based on it is banned, the social hierarchies
of the caste system continue to be recognized in various parts
of India, particularly in villages. These hierarchies were a corruption
of a medieval system of classification that grouped people and
families by their inherited trades -- priests, merchants, soldiers
and labourers
Chaebol (jeh-bol)
Korean multinational conglomerates, including such companies as
Hyundai, Samsung and Daewoo.
chai
Hot tea served with milk, spices and sweeteners. "Fueled
by the belief within the coffeehouse industry that the cafe latte
craze is petering out, chai has become the latest darling....
U.S. sales of the mix of black tea, cardamom, ginger, cloves,
cinnamon, milk and honey have surged" (Los Angeles Times,
8/3/98).
China doll
Avoid. Reinforces stereotypes of all Asian women as exotic and
submissive sex objects. Use only in direct quotes.
Chinaman
Avoid (racial slur). A derogatory term for Chinese in North America.
Use only in direct quotes.
Chinaman's chance
Avoid. Signifies little or no chance to succeed. Believed by some
to have derived from the fate of Chinese laborers building the
transcontinental railroad in the U.S. They were subjected to extreme
physical danger and died at a high rate from placing explosives
on steep cliffs and working in deep tunnels. Others believe it
derives simply from the lynchings and other racist attacks in
the States by white mobs against outnumbered and often defenseless
Chinese, beginning in the 1850s. Use only in direct quotes.
Chinatown
Any one of several Chinese communities in Canada.
Chinese, Chinese Canadian
Use Chinese when referring to anyone of Chinese ancestry, but
use Chinese Canadian when specifically referring to those of Chinese
ancestry who are Canadian citizens.
Chinese fire drill
Avoid. Racist phrase referring to chaotic situations. Refers to
a game that often takes place at a stop light. Involves passengers
in a vehicle getting out of one door, running around the vehicle
and re-entering through another door in a haphazard way.
Chinese Immigration Act (also
known as the Chinese Exclusion Act)
In 1923, the Canadian government banned Chinese immigration by
passing the Chinese Immigration Act. The act excluded almost all
Chinese immigrants from coming to Canada. The limited groups that
could enter were diplomats, children born in Canada to parents
of Chinese race or descent, merchants and students. The Chinese
living in Canada were denied many of their civil liberties while
this act was in effect. For example the Chinese did not gain the
right to vote in Federal elections until after the Act was repealed
in 1947. The Chinese Canadian National Council is seeking an apology
and compensation from the Canadian government for the act and
the head tax.
Chinese Zodiac
The Chinese Zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle. Each year is represented
by an animal. These animals are attributed with certain characteristics
that are applied to human behavior. The following is a listing
of the 12 animals and their respective years for three cycles.
Animals for other years can be determined by subtracting, or adding,
12 from, or to, the year. Goat 1991, 2003, 2015; Monkey 1992,
2004, 2016; Rooster 1993, 2005, 2017; Dog 1982, 1994, 2006; Pig
1983, 1995, 2007; Rat 1984, 1996, 2008; Buffalo 1985,1997, 2009;
Tiger 1986,1998, 2010; Rabbit 1987, 1999, 2011; Dragon 1988, 2000,
2012; Snake 1989, 2001, 2013; Horse 1990, 2002, 2014.
Chink
Avoid (racial slur). A derogatory term for Chinese and Chinese
Canadians. Use only in direct quotes.
Cho, Chow, Tsau
Chinese dialect which can be spelled in three various ways.
closeted, in the closet
Refers to a person who hides his or her sexual orientation.
coconut
Avoid (slang). A pejorative reference for Filipinos and Filipino
Canadians who identify more with whites than with Filipinos.
coloured
Not synonymous with people of color. Avoid when referring to people
in Canada, because it's considered derogatory. In parts of
Africa, it sometimes means mixed race. If used, include an explanation.
combat language
Avoid the language of war when writing about people of color,
and the story is not about a specific war. Examples of terms to
avoid: Tokyo's fashion invasion; on the warpath; circling
the wagons.
coming out
Short for coming out of the closet: Process of accepting one's
own sexuality and then letting others know. See closeted.
Confucian work ethic
Avoid. Stereotypical term used to describe the tendency of some
Asians to work hard and keep quiet. Many Asian Canadians cringe
when the generalization is made, because it evokes images of Asians
as mindless hordes unable to think or act creatively.
Confucius say
Avoid. Stereotypical saying that pokes fun at Asians as always
speaking in proverbs and not having original thoughts or actions.
Congress Party
The political party in India of Jawarhalal Nehru, Indira Gandhi,
Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, which evolved from the Indian National
Congress. It governed India from independence through the late
1980s, except for a brief period in the late 1970s. It assumed
power again briefly in the 90s, but lost to the BJP. Remains a
major player in Indian politics.
coolie
Menial laborer. The term is believed to have derived from the
word "koli," an aboriginal race in western India, or
from the Chinese term "ku-li," meaning "bitter
strength" or "bitter labor." The term came to refer
to laborers who were transported from China to other parts of
the world in the coolie trade in the 1800s.
cross-dressing
Wearing clothing most often associated with members of the opposite
sex. Not synonymous with being gay. See transvestite.
cruising
Visiting places where opportunities exist to meet people, specifically
potential sexual partners. Not an exclusively gay phenomenon.
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