An anonymous Boingboing pal shares an actual email from the Los Angeles County Purchasing and Contract Services
Director, asking technology vendors to refrain from using the terms "master" or "slave" to refer to interrelating parts — for example, a "master" hard drive controlling a "slave" client device. Perhaps Dom/Sub/Switch would be more apropos. Talk SCSI to me, baby: who's your (hard drive's) daddy? Snip:
The County of Los Angeles actively promotes and is committed to ensure a work environment that is free from any discriminatory influence be it actual or perceived.
As such, it is the County's expectation that our manufacturers, suppliers and
contractors make a concentrated effort to ensure that any equipment, supplies
or services that are provided to County departments do not possess or portray
an image that may be construed as offensive or defamatory in nature.One such recent example included the manufacturer's labeling of equipment where the words "Master/Slave" appeared to identify the primary and secondary sources.
Based on the cultural diversity and sensitivity of Los Angeles County, this is not
an acceptable identification label.
We would request that each manufacturer, supplier and contractor review, identify
and remove/change any identification or labeling of equipment or components
thereof that could be interpreted as discriminatory or offensive in nature before
such equipment is sold or otherwise provided to any County department.
God forbid anyone should tip the county off to interlocking male/female connectors.
