Color neutral computing terminology

[kernol]

Black is an accurate description of its color, or actually lack of, since no visible light escapes.

Which is precisely the point I was making in my post you edited {perhaps I was too subtle?} My point was - it is futile to attempt to eliminate either the "black" word or the "white" word and to regard their use in every imaginable context as having racial undertones.

While I fully support non-racialism and, as an anti-apartheid activist in my youth, was jailed for my beliefs, - this "debate" does nothing to advance the cause. It will not unseat the deeply held prejudices in folk on both sides of the spectrum. Meaningful change requires recognition of our shared humanity not a shift in semantics.

 

[adampk17]

Meaningful change requires recognition of our shared humanity not a shift in semantics.

I think it requires both. And yes, I agree that this change we are talking about here would not have widespread exposure, but I think small things will still matter in the end.

 

[dave14305]

When I was a child, I never chose the white Crayola crayon to draw a Caucasian person, nor the black Crayola crayon to draw an African-American person. This might be the real problem with our terminology.

 

[thiggins]

My point was - it is futile to attempt to eliminate either the "black" word or the "white" word and to regard their use in every imaginable context as having racial undertones.

I don't think it is a futile effort. It can be done and is worth the effort.

As my dear departed pappy once said: "Words can start wars." Words do matter. "Deny", "allow", "block", "permit" are already used in some consumer routers.

And I agree with @adampk17 , it takes both words and actions to affect change.

 

[dave14305]

I don't think it is a futile effort. It can be done and is worth the effort.

I think it may feel futile for our generation, but if we start now, it can improve things for future generations.

 

[Smokey613]

How far down the “rabbit hole” do we go? Yes, an ideal world would not include any discrimination of any type. Unfortunately, discrimination in various forms has been around since the dawn of time. Even the animal kingdom is not immune from discrimination. It is the nature of all living creatures. We can and should strive to eliminate it but it will always be present. I am sure we have all experienced it in some form or another, the difference is how we allow it to control our thoughts and actions. If it directly threatens mine or my family’s physical well being then I will react with physical force. If it is merely a psychological attack then I can and will choose my terms of reaction. As I get older, other people’s opinions of me matter less and less. Only two people in my life hold any real sway, my wife and my son. All others I take as a grain of salt. I try hard not to be confrontational and I am much more easy going than in my younger years, but do not mistake my easy demeanor for weakness. A quick read of the US CDC website on examples of workplace discrimination shows just how far this has expanded.
https://www.cdc.gov/eeo/faqs/discrimination.htm

As a point of reference, I am a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
https://www.mcn-nsn.gov/

My great grandmother experienced the Trail of Tears.
https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/trail-of-tears

 

[adampk17]

How far down the “rabbit hole” do we go? Yes, an ideal world would not include any discrimination of any type. Unfortunately, discrimination in various forms has been around since the dawn of time. Even the animal kingdom is not immune from discrimination. It is the nature of all living creatures. We can and should strive to eliminate it but it will always be present. I am sure we have all experienced it in some form or another, the difference is how we allow it to control our thoughts and actions. If it directly threatens mine or my family’s physical well being then I will react with physical force. If it is merely a psychological attack then I can and will choose my terms of reaction. As I get older, other people’s opinions of me matter less and less. Only two people in my life hold any real sway, my wife and my son. All others I take as a grain of salt. I try hard not to be confrontational and I am much more easy going than in my younger years, but do not mistake my easy demeanor for weakness. A quick read of the US CDC website on examples of workplace discrimination shows just how far this has expanded.
https://www.cdc.gov/eeo/faqs/discrimination.htm

As a point of reference, I am a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
https://www.mcn-nsn.gov/

My great grandmother experienced the Trail of Tears.
https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/trail-of-tears

How far down the rabbit hole? One step at a time, most small, some big, but as far as we need to.

Society may never be able to quite reach the ideal but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue to try and do better. We certainly have needed to do A LOT better.

 

[elorimer]

My great grandmother experienced the Trail of Tears.
https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/trail-of-tears

Some years ago I started looking backwards, and came across an ancestor who was for a time thought to be on the Mayflower, and I confess I felt somewhat prideful Then it became clear he was part of the Great Migration, and came to the Massachusetts Bay colony (Boston) around 1635. Now, the Plymouth colony survived through the mid 1650s by trading beaver with the indigenous population. The Bay colony survived by selling the indigenous population to the West Indies plantations. And then I further learned that that ancestor had been on the Hungry March, so I read up on that. After that I didn't think on that past with any pride.