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The original was posted on /r/unixporn by /u/therealduckie on 2023-08-02 11:55:32+00:00.

From Wikipedia:

Rice burner is a pejorative term…

In 1935 it [first] appeared in a US newspaper caption in with a racial connotation, disparaging East Asian people.

Multiple other incidents/examples follow in the article where it was used highly disparagingly and in absolutely racist terms.

From Oxford Dictionary:

slang (originally U.S.). Usually depreciative (sometimes considered offensive). An East Asian person.

We could just as easily say “modified” or “custom” or “customized” without resorting to such a historically divisive and offensive term.

And no, it does not mean “race inspired cosmetic enhancements”. That was made up decades after it was already cemented as a racist term to avoid accountability.

And no, appropriating it for the *nix community does not mean it has lost its original meaning or that the intent of the word(s) has been eliminated.

And no, the other conversations before this one did not “settle it” just because the people who want to use the word and ignore its obvious history upvoted its use.

I once saw someone in this community un-ironically say:

The n word is not analogous to the word rice. The n word is directed at people and used to dehumanize them…

That’s literally what “rice burner” is. A word/term directed at people and used to dehumanize them. It’s not a debate. It’s documented history. For almost 100 years.

I think it is time we consider the above and finally put the term to rest.

Note: Even if you still feel the need to use it, “ricing” means to “customize without benefit”. Most all of the customizations seen here show a significant benefit to continuity, usability and improved UI experience.