It’s not the first time that certain technical terms have been denounced as racist, but as Black Lives Matter protests take place around the world, these terms are becoming downright untenable.
Although these are English-speaking terms, they are words and expressions widely used in computing, including in French-speaking circles. The word “blacklist” is used to describe a list containing forbidden, unauthorized or undesirable items. The word “whitelist” refers to what is permitted, having a right of passage or use. The terms “white hat” and “black hat” refer respectively to an ethical hacker and a malicious hacker. The worst terms are probably “master” and “slave” to describe the relationship between two computer hard disks and or between two camera flashes, for example.
There is obviously a relationship of domination, since these terms are used to designate an element that has control over another. The words weren’t chosen at random. There’s a tendency to contrast what’s good and kind with what’s bad and evil. Yet it wouldn’t be hard to think of other terms to use. It took me a few minutes and a quick Twitter search: “blacklist” -> “blocklist” or “approve list”; “master/slave” -> “primary/secondary” or “primary/replica” or “leader/follower” or “parent/child”.
If you don’t work in IT, you’re probably shocked that anyone would use such terms. And you’re not alone! In 2018, the Python developer community decided to change that. You’d think there’d be unanimous support, but not really, if the comments on Reddit are anything to go by (read at your own risk). You should know that this wasn’t the first time these terms were denounced. CNN reports that in 2003, an unidentified person living in Los Angeles, filed a complaint to have the name changed, after he spotted a VCR bearing devices labeled “master” and “slave”.
We’re beginning to collectively understand and accept that words condition us. Can we also accept that words like “master” and “slave” should be banned, because they perpetuate exclusionary dynamics and establish a hierarchy between people?
