this post was submitted on 10 Dec 2025
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Linux 6.19 Gets Rid Of The Kernel's "Genocide" Function (www.phoronix.com)
submitted 1 day ago by cm0002@lemmy.cafe to c/linux@programming.dev
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While the Linux kernel has inclusive terminology guidelines for the past five years to replace phrases like master/slave and blacklist/whitelist, there has surprisingly been a "genocide" function within the kernel that was questioned when it was first submitted for inclusion but now removed in Linux 6.19.

Introduced to the Linux kernel back in 2023 was the d_genocide() function as part of various dcache updates to the kernel. The genocide name was questioned when the patches were first posted by longtime Linux developer Al Viro

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[–] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 14 points 23 hours ago (2 children)

The problem is “black” being used in a negative context while at the same time “white” is being used in a positive context. It reinforces racial stereotypes specifically because that is the language we also use for race. Language and psychology are inseparable.

“Block list” and “allow list” are clearer and less ambiguous anyway, and just make more sense.

[–] groet@feddit.org 2 points 23 minutes ago

Yeah allow/block does not need cultural context to be understood. You can take someone from an uncontacted tribe in the amazon (and through a magic translation device) they will understand what a allow list is. They wouldn't understand blacklist.

[–] ElGrossKotzo@troet.cafe -3 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

@BlameTheAntifa @psycotica0

red list green list?
brown list rainbow list?
clear list pink list?
no list yes list?

[–] BatmanAoD@programming.dev 2 points 22 hours ago

One list, two list, red list, blue list

(I genuinely thought that was where you were going with that for a line or two)