The "Oriental" thing is total news to my mom. And every time I try to point it out, I end up sputtering because she's totally confused by it being inappropriate ("Really? But 'Oriental rug' is okay?") and I can't explain it well myself.

But, for some people, a large part of it is still apathy towards people's feelings and the desire to have their white supremacy win out. My mom, although I love her, is still a racist who would rather keep using "Oriental" to mean people than to learn the right, non-hurtful terminology.