The term oriental is offensive because it's been used to reinforce the idea that those from the exotic orient are forever foreign and could not become American.

The term oriental is offensive because it's been used to reinforce the idea that those from the exotic orient are forever foreign and could not become American. This justifies exclusive policies, segregation, etc. That's not the only reason the US Federal government decided to stop its use in official documents. It's also a terribly inaccurate term - exactly WHERE in the East are you talking about? India, which is in the East, is far different from South Korea, which is also in the East. I'm sure that people in those disparate regions would much rather not be lumped together in a single category. It's a lazy, outdated term used by lazy people.