RFC: Conscious language in the Binutils

[Hans-Peter Nilsson]

On Wed, 18 Nov 2020, Cary Coutant via Binutils wrote:

> >   Before making any alterations however I wanted to see if there were
> >   any comments, concerns or issues regarding this proposal.  Does anyone
> >   have anything that they wish to say ?
>
> A bit late to the party, but I also support this.
>
> To those who don't see the value, one need only look to current events
> to see the power that words can have in fueling hatred and division.
> If the language we use in our code makes even one potential
> contributor feel excluded or even uncomfortable, we lose.

It's a double-edged sword: not only will potential contributors
have to produce first-class code; will they now also have to
produce first-class wording as per someone's list?  Consider the
chilling effect!

Better not take the first step down that slippery slope.
Let's instead say: what is there now, is acceptable language.

Let's not start whitewashing it.  If we do: how often would we
have to change the wording, as is suggested?  Who's in charge of
the master wordlist?  What "current events" are allowed to
affect it?  Let's stay neutral about this.

I see the value in not bending to what I see as anxious whims.

brgds, H-P