RFC: Conscious language in the Binutils

[Jeff Law]

On 11/19/20 2:13 PM, Cary Coutant via Binutils wrote:
>> Excluding and making contributors uncomfortable is exactly why I spoke
>> up, objecting to the change.  If that sounds strange to you, be aware
>> that "inclusive language" or whatever they call it now is an extreme
>> left ideological position.  I know we have contributors who do not
>> like extreme left politics.  Also, the world is wider than the USA.
>>
>> I grew up knowing people who had lived under communism in eastern
>> European countries.  Through them, I'm aware of what it is like to
>> live under repressive governments where you need to be very careful
>> what you say.  That's why I have an allergic reaction to the language
>> police.  So much so that I'm ignoring my common sense warning me that
>> it is dangerous to poke at extreme left political sacred cows!
> It's discouraging that what once were considered centrist or moderate
> positions are now labeled "extreme left." This is how far today's
> extreme right has moved the goalposts.
>
> "Language police" is a loaded term designed to sound extremist. There
> is no authoritarian regime forcing this on us; you are not going to
> get thrown in jail for the code you write. All that is being asked of
> us is, as Ian elegantly put it, a little politeness.
Sigh.  This was never meant to be a political discussion or advance any
political viewpoint, but it appears to be degenerating into that quickly. 

Just FTR, I think the change is a good one and I support the goal of
being more aware of the language we use and how it impacts people.  I
know that my own language has changed through the years as I've become
more aware of how it can impact people and to me at least, this is just
continuing evolution and awareness.

Sad and disappointed :(

jeff