I know this is a strange question and I hope I don't offend anyone here. I am working on a fairly large proposal for a very articulate, well heeled black family. Super people to be sure.

As I started this proposal, it dawned on me that often in our description of certain products, we commonley use the term master and slave. i.e. Master controller and slave controller, Master Zone & slave zone, etc...

I got to wondering if this sort of terminology would offend a black family. I am not trying to be a wise ass here, but really think this is a valid question. I suppose it would depend on the family, and this guy is very educated (specialized DDS) - mid to late 30's.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? Prior experiences? Or maybe it would be wise to try to find substitute wording like "Main" controllor and "Sub" controller, etc. Please no nasty comments here, just looking for a little constructive advice. Many of us are bound to run into this sooner or later.

This message was edited by FP Crazy on 10/12/04 11:37 ET.

FP,

Valid question.

It shouldn't, but as you know, some people in our society are vey sensitive to be sure. Not saying that black people, white people, Hispanic or any other race are categrorically this way, they're not...many don't care (any race on any topic!), a few still do (again, any race on any topic!).

Very touchy subject to be sure.

If you're worried about it (this question has opened my eyes to a possible oversight I've been committing for years) then change it to feel more confortable.

Main and Sub would be a good call....
Primary and Secondary....
System and Zone...

there are many good alternatives!

EXCELLENT, thought provoking question!

I had exactly the same situation and have been using primary and secondary ever since on every proposal (what if its a white guy looking over your proposal with an african american friend).

I realize that linguistics can be a big deal and other times not but I feel its best to err on the safe side. Kind of like cursing in the customers house. The client can curse a blue streak but we as a company never join in.

I never thought to share that when it came up...good job.

I stopped use the term master and slave for similar reasons, instead preferring to use the term "my ho" and "my pimp daddy". I also try to stay away from using the word "slanted" when dealing with Oriental people, instead using the word bifurcated.

Good question, I'm just having some fun.

This message was edited by QQQ on 10/13/04 11:57 ET.

Welllllllllll... that's one way to handle it ... I suppose.

I might want to get to know the customer better before I use that nomenclature. Probably better get a fat deposit first too.

too funny.

QQQ said...

LMFAO @ QQQ

The use of creative wording in a proposal can indeed help make the sale. Just look at the first example compared to the second and ask yourself which you would rather own.

Crestron Pro2 Procesor
Crestron TPS-6000 Touchscreen


Crestron Pro2 Bomb Ass Pussy Processor
Crestron Isys TPS-6000 Shake Dat Ass Touchscreen

Personally, I would not change the language on any documentation just for master/slave. I can see how some white people are trying to overly cautious, espescially when they put people like Omarosa on TV overreacting to the 'pot calling the kettle black' phrase.
But in reality, the vast majority of black people are mature enough to hear things in context. As long as you don't giggle each time you say "slave", I think you are OK. And I would assume a DDS would be included in that 'mature' group.
I would even go so far as to say that anyone offended by master/slave in the terms of home electronics is simply looking for a reason to be offended. In that case, they can find almost any reason to be offended.

A similar arguement has been going on the computer world where the terms Master and Slave are commonly used to define IDE connectors, and yes, it has offended some people.

I agree with AV dude and would call them Primary and Secondary

Gee, I guess we are going to have to change a lot of phrases that might insult some one like:
Having only Male and Female RCA connectors might be offensive to some one who lives in an all male or all female world.
Or perhaps black electrical tape needs to be desegregated into rainbow colored tape lest we insult any particular race.

Heck, whenever I hear the term Master and Slave the first thing that comes into my mind is some tied up crooked congressman and a women dressed in head to toe patent leather with a whip.

Oh, and if it really bothers you, use the term Master and Remote. i.e the master sends the control signal to the remote station

On the serious side, the terms Master and slave would not offend him. But the term Very Articulate "Black" Man would.

That is like saying "your real smart for a Nigger". Probably shouldn't be done.


And QQQ pointed out that you don't want to use the term slanted for Orientals. Orientals are rugs. Just in case you don't know. If you call an Asian person "Oriental" you are basically calling them a "Nigger". They don't like it at all.

We switched to rainbow colored tape a long time ago... (easier to write on...)

i dont usually voice an opinion,

however, i'd have to side with RTI Installer, its a technical document as such the contents of any afore mentioned document type usually make references to 'master' and 'slave'.

BUT, a long time has passed since the origins of such wording, and as such the times have changed too, if i was in a situation to construct a proposal for anyone (of any race) i would use the terms primary and secondary as with this you have the option to expand with tertiary.

just my humble thoughts.

Kind Regards,
Jonathan.

I have always used Primary, Secondary (or dependent), and Tertiary (or sub-dependent). You could also use Parent and Child terms, as well.

Hope this helps.

Fred Forlano
Higher Definition

I like parent and child, This gets my top vote!

This will go over big, when dealing with house wives who are melting brain cells, trying to comprehend what we are talking about:)