[imp] Fwd: Re: [Feedback #2426] discriminatory terms

[Eric Rostetter]

Quoting Jan Schneider <jan at horde.org>:

> ----- Weitergeleitete Nachricht von c.green at mailbox.uq.edu.au -----
>     Datum: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 11:50:06 +1000
>     Von: Cameron Green <c.green at mailbox.uq.edu.au>
> Antwort an: cam at uq.edu.au
>  Betreff: Fwd: Re: [Feedback #2426] discriminatory terms
>       An: jan at horde.org
> 
> Hi Jan,
> 
> We have had an enquiry about using the term 'blacklist' in IMP being
> offensive to people of colour.

While the term is derogatory, perhaps even discriminatory, it isn't so
towards people of color. There is a discussion of the history of this
in the mailing list archives.

> I have changed this in our version of IMP to be 'blocklist'.  Very simple
> change
> and if it makes people feel more included in the community then I think worth
> the effort.
> 
> `find ./ -type f | xargs grep -il blacklist` will turn up a list of
> everywhere it is used.

See the faq at http://www.horde.org/faq/admin/ for the correct way to do
this (change the locale file).

> Comment: The term 'blacklist' for prohibition of unwanted e-mails is
> inappropriate to a university.

I think that the university needs to educate the university community as
to why this is false.

> The continual use of 'black' to denote unwanted,
> oppressive or evil should be discouraged.

The use of black to denote evil in western culture is ancient, and predates
any black-white cultural conflicts.

> Other e-mail sites have more
> appropriate terms - why not this university?

While there is no reason for the university to not switch to another wording,
there is also no reason for it to do so.  It would be better off for the
university to educate (as is the mission of a university) its community
on the issue.

-- 
Eric Rostetter
The Department of Physics
The University of Texas at Austin

Why get even? Get odd!