Loaded terms in free software

Posted Jun 22, 2020 17:58 UTC (Mon) by mjg59 (subscriber, #23239)
In reply to: Loaded terms in free software by milesrout
Parent article: Loaded terms in free software

People whose identity is perceived as non-male are treated very differently in most free software communities. So what you mean by "There's really no basis on which to be sexist in the first place" is "People can present as male in order to be treated the same as everyone else", which still means they're subject to the use of sexist language and imagery and also means they're never able to tie that identity to scenarios where their real identity *does* matter, such as conferences or job applications.

Loaded terms in free software

Posted Jun 22, 2020 19:19 UTC (Mon) by nix (subscriber, #2304) [Link]

So what you mean by "There's really no basis on which to be sexist in the first place" is "People can present as male in order to be treated the same as everyone else"

That doesn't necessarily work, anyway. Those of us who are unlucky enough to project something a predatory human sees as "vulnerable/victim" will be attacked anyway. Gender and race are just two of a great many perceived axes they're willing to attack you on. Being different in any way at all is enough -- and if you're not different, they'll invent a difference to create a suitable outgroup.

Been there, had that happen...

Loaded terms in free software

Posted Jun 22, 2020 20:46 UTC (Mon) by milesrout (subscriber, #126894) [Link] (1 responses)

Acting like a normal human being isn't "acting male" any more than it is "acting white"... You seem to be RATHER confused.

Loaded terms in free software

Posted Jun 22, 2020 21:00 UTC (Mon) by mjg59 (subscriber, #23239) [Link]

If you have a name that people interpret as female on IRC, you'll have a very different experience to if you have a name that people interpret as male. Is using your real name acting like a normal human being?