Crossposted from https://lemmy.cafe/post/28218826

While the Linux kernel has inclusive terminology guidelines for the past five years to replace phrases like master/slave and blacklist/whitelist, there has surprisingly been a “genocide” function within the kernel that was questioned when it was first submitted for inclusion but now removed in Linux 6.19.

Introduced to the Linux kernel back in 2023 was the d_genocide() function as part of various dcache updates to the kernel. The genocide name was questioned when the patches were first posted by longtime Linux developer Al Viro

  • P03 Locke@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    4·
    5 days ago

    Some things bothered me, and seemed worth the removal, like “slave”. MySQL 8.0 deprecated it, and 8.4 removes it entirely.

    But, the whole white/blacklist thing seemed like we’re making color associations that don’t really exist.

    • dondelelcaro@lemmy.worldEnglish
      51·
      5 days ago

      I use allowlist and blocklist instead because it’s clearer. Or rejectlist or banlist or acceptlist or whatever verb more accurately conveys what the list is doing. White/Black are frequently not clear enough.

    • DomeGuy@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      5 days ago

      It’s not racism. It’s just that sysadmins are goths who prefer dark mode, and were esthetically aggravated by the discordant terminology.