Meta post I’ve decided to make. I enjoyed the unixporn subreddit a lot when I used reddit more. I enjoy customizing my linux de as much as the next nerd.

But you definitely shouldn’t use racist slang to refer to the process.

To be clear, I didn’t know the origin of the term ‘ricing’ until fairly recently. I was chattimg with my friend and used it to describe my de setup. They informed me that apparently it’s from car customization, and is a pejorative against generally asian men who customize their car to look like a racecar.

After learning this I was sad to realize just how engrained it is in linux de customization culture. I personally have stopped using the term, and I would ask everyone here stop as well.

  • TopRamenBinLaden@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    4
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    I would argue the term “ricing” or “ricer” is not racist in the discriminatory sense unless used negatively. Rice is good, and Asian food uses a lot of rice. It’s most definitely a stereotypical term and that can be problematic in its own ways. Stereotypes can be a slippery slope to racism sometimes.

    I do think the majority of people using the term probably didn’t even think about how it is derogatory. In my area, I knew car club people who were proud to drive Japanese cars and call themselves rice related things.

    I choose to not use the term, because I respect others feelings towards it. It was also never in my vocabulary to begin with as I am not a car person.