What have we stopped noticing?
The things we say, do, and accept without thinking twice.
Look closer where it comes from, what it assumes, and the case for keeping it
What you mean by it
Lists of what is denied versus allowed.
What it's actually picturing
The pair maps “black” to exclusion and “white” to permission.
What it takes for granted
That black is the color to reach for when something is barred, and white when it is allowed. The pairing does the work, not either word alone.
Worth knowing
The UK's National Cyber Security Centre, Google's developer style guide and the Linux kernel's coding style now use blocklist/allowlist or similar. Those terms have the bonus of explaining themselves.
The case for keeping it
“Blacklist” dates from the 1610s and meant a list of people in disgrace, not a racial term. “Black” for bad is older still. Critics reply that the symbolism and racial ideas later became entangled.
Say it plainly
Blocklist / allowlistDenylist / permitlist
Where this comes from
- blacklist · Online Etymology Dictionary
- Terminology: it's not black and white · UK National Cyber Security Centre
- Linux kernel coding style · kernel.org