I can't think of a more unpopular position...maybe someone trying to support the DMCA, or something.

And I know how unpopular this will be, but all I can do is try to be genuine and respond honestly.

The thing is...as a white man (from the south, no less), I know that I can't make some references or jokes because I benefit from traditions and norms that stem from historical wrongs or unjust power relationships.

At one point in my life my personal safety was completely at the whim of someone else. It changed the way that I look at relationships. I think that people can judge you best for who you are when no one can force you to do something different. You are who you are when no one can stop you.

What does that have to do with Mr. Crockford having some disagreeable language in a presentation?

It's because --- when he doesn't have to --- he chooses to use language that unnecessarily references sexuality and gender in ways that reinforce the negative things that some people have experienced.

I would be lying to you and to myself if I said that I always completely understand or identify with some of the things that other people have gone through. Having gone through something that changed the way I look at the world and the ways in which people interact, I try to give them the space.

There is a reason why "professional" language has changed over the last 50 years. It's so that people can meet and carry out a task without bringing emotion and baggage to a situation where it can be counterproductive.

I don't know how you could look at the world as it is today and think that things like this are even remotely a large problem. Even ESR's talk about this stuff being a threat to STEM? I know people, have met them, went to church with them as a child, that are a threat to STEM. Some of them actively lobby state organizations, civil and purely political, to "toughen" their stances on creationism and "family values". It's horrifying. They actively work to have textbooks changed.

If you think that people who just want to be comfortable in a setting around their peers at a conference are somehow worse, I would like to assure you that they are not.

Do they say dumb things on Twitter? Of course they do. Twitter was designed to strip the intelligence from communications. And of course, none of you have ever said anything stupid on a public forum?

Another thing. Lest you think me some kind of squishy liberal SJW fag...or whatever you are calling people these days. I have seen, committed, and been party to more violence than most people my age. I'm not a soldier. I'm also not a criminal. I've tried very hard over the years to build a good productive life for myself. It wasn't easy. It isn't easy. You don't know me and I don't know you. I'm often reminded of this interview I saw with a French Savate fighter. He was in his late 50's and looked like any other geezer his age during the interview. Except that every other geezer in France didn't finish a fight with two broken arms.

You never know who you are insulting. People all over the world are carrying tremendous burdens of memory and emotion and are trying to live and move on. That extra little bit of angry that you send their way. It adds up. Everyone wants to feel persecuted, you guys are right about that. You may want to look at your own thoughts and try to see if there is some persecution complex going on there.

Just be nice. Butt out of things that don't concern you. Write more code, but mainly just be nice.