Re: [PATCH 1/2] doc: avoid using the gender of other people

From: Derrick Stolee <stolee@gmail.com>
Date: Jun 15, 2021, 13:28 UTC
Message-ID: <94848796-1a7f-e1d2-fcf7-5e6f5f361f2a@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <20210611202819.47077-2-felipe.contreras@gmail.com>

On 6/11/2021 4:28 PM, Felipe Contreras wrote:

> Some people have a problem with using a female reviewer or a female
> developer as an example, and since this is an irrelevant detail, let's
> say goodbye to our illustrative female colleagues.

I find this message to be snarky and underhanded instead of actually describing the goals at hand. Citing the reason as stated is _not_ the purpose of these gender-neutral recommendations.

Instead, a message such as this could apply:

  Using gendered pronouns for an anonymous person applies a
  gender where none is known, and further excludes readers
  who do not use gendered pronouns. Avoid such examples in
  the documentation by using "they" or passive voice to
  avoid the need for a pronoun.

The textual edits in the patch are correct.

-Stolee