On 7/21/2020 8:14 PM, Luis E. Muñoz wrote:
>
> Based on context, I think it's more than fair to conclude that you
> consider even obviously innocent uses of the word "black" as "racially
> charged".
>
No, that's simplistic and no one on this project is simple.  We'll
handle issues on a case-by-case basis.  I hope that with
whitelist/blacklist & master/slave, we have identified the racially
charged language in our project.  If you know of any others, please
speak up as it will help the process to be smoother.

> will devs embark in a crusade every time a new term becomes "racially
> charged", devoting hours to removing them from the codebase?

As a foundation that does not pay for code, what a dev devotes their
time to handling is not something we choose. 

Beyond that, those who have earned merit on the project control the
project.  That is the PMC and they have voted on this change.  The ASF
is a meritocracy and those who have no merit do not get a vote.  I have
earned merit and have a vote.  I have exercised it and the change
represents a We not an I.

> I believe the PMC should review this situation and take appropriate
> action. It seems to me at least, that the assertions sustaining the
> decision to drop the terms that you consider "racially charged", are
> not holding.
>
You might be misunderstanding this thread.  We are specifically
discussing a change to extend the period of time where backwards
compatibility is supported.  Right now, that is no less than 1 year and
not until a version change like 4.1 is released.

> I am also afraid of the impact this will have in the support and
> adoption of SA.
>
I'm not afraid of the support or adoption.  There are numerous products
and companies in the ecosystem that will be supporting the change and
they represent a statistically substantial portion of the users.  Don't
let a vocal minority drive change.  To paraphrase Henry Ford, if you
asked people what they want in a car, they'd have said a faster horse.

Regards,

KAM

-- 
Kevin A. McGrail
[email protected]

Member, Apache Software Foundation
Chair Emeritus Apache SpamAssassin Project
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmcgrail - 703.798.0171

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