[OT] master/slave debate in Python

[Chris Angelico]

On Wed, Sep 26, 2018 at 2:36 PM Ian Kelly <ian.g.kelly at gmail.com> wrote:
> So, Chris, what have *you personally* done about real slavery where it
> still happens?
>
> If, as I'm guessing, the answer is "nothing" then it seems to me that
> you don't have much of a leg to stand on to level this accusation.

Am I demanding that the terminology be changed? No? Then I don't think
the accusation applies.

> Imagine if the terminology were instead "dominant / submissive".
> Without meaning to assume too much, might the cultural context
> surrounding those terms make you feel uncomfortable when using them?
> Would you desire for something else to be used in their place? Well,
> there are plenty of people who feel exactly that way about "master /
> slave".

I wouldn't care.

> Here's the reality: the change may be difficult for some while it's
> happening, because people don't like being told that the way they're
> accustomed to doing something is harmful. But a few years from now,
> after everything has settled, nobody will be looking back at this and
> saying "oh, I wish we still used master/slave in the documentation.
> Primary/replica (or whatever else replaces it) just doesn't sound as
> good."
>
> Honestly, it's absurd that this is even a debate. Let's just make the
> change and get it over with.

And what happens when "replica" becomes pejorative? Do we change words again?

ChrisA