Census Form Asks Black, African American Or Negro?

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO)
One of the questions on the 2010 U.S. Census form is raising some eyebrows within the black community.
Question No. 9 asks about race. Some of the choices include Black, African American or Negro.
The term Negro has been on the form since the 50s, but some say it's now outdated. In the 50s, the word Negro was used to describe a person of black ancestry. But during the civil rights movement in the 60s, some African American leaders objected to the term.
They associated the word Negro with the long history of slavery and segregation.
"Because of history, because of slavery, because I'm thinking if they abolished slavery why can't they abolish the name Negro?" Brenda Spraggins said.
Times have changed, said Kenvie West. And words should change as well.
"Of course it offends me, yes it does, and the reason it offends me is because this is 2010 and people are not referred to as Negros, I mean that's like saying the 'N' word," she said.
The Census Bureau states that during the 2000 census, more than 50,000 people chose to call themselves Negro. So they kept it on the form. The Census also questioned people on the race issue.
"The highest rated preference was black, followed by African American, followed by Afro American, followed by Negro," said Tom Gillaspy, the state demographer.
Others say they are not offended by the term Negro.
"I don't see it as a positive or a negative. I don't have a strong attachment, negative or positive," said Mike Hestick.
Todd Johnson said it's not terrible but also doesn't belong on a Census form.
"It's still out of date, it's not offensive like if you were to say something to me I'm going to get mad about it, but it shouldn't be on a paper like that," he said.
The Census Bureau said it is embedding a test in the 2010 Census that will measure the effect of removing the term Negro. That could effect how the 2020 Census form will look.

THE UFI PURPOSE

The Uhuru Family Initiative is a think tank that works specifically to address the issues that Black people face living in America. Simply put, we are a group of positive and productive Black people living and working in various cities who share resources, information and connections to a variety of necessary services, programs, and other necessities that lead us toward liberation and cultural comfort. History attests that Power Moves in Circles, and often a major part of success or being successful is not always what you know but who you know. The Uhuru Family Initiative is more than another “non-profit” organization, UFI is a movement.

Smoking among Afrikans in America

Smoking rates among African American adults historically have been higher than among the general U.S. population; however, in recent years smoking rates have been similar. Smoking among African American teens has declined dramatically since 1976; however, recent increases in teen smoking among African Americans document the need for continued prevention efforts. African Americans continue to suffer disproportionately from chronic and preventable disease compared to white Americans. Of the three leading causes of death in African Americans -- heart disease, cancer, and stroke -- smoking and other tobacco use are major contributors to these illnesses.¹

• Each year, approximately 45,000 African Americans die from a smoking-related disease that could have been prevented. ²

• If current patterns continue, an estimated 1.6 million African Americans who are now under the age of 18 will become regular smokers. About 500,000 of those smokers will die of a smoking-related disease.²

• Aggregated data from 1994 and 1995 show that current smoking prevalence rates were similar among African American adults (26.5%) and white adults (25.9%) in the United States. ³

• In 1995, about 5.7 million African American adults smoked cigarettes, accounting for approximately 12% of the 47 million adult smokers in the United States.³

• In 1994 and 1995, African American men (31.4%) smoked at a higher rate than white men (27.6%), while African American women (22.7%) and white women (24.4%) smoked at a similar rate.³

• Among African Americans, as seen in other U.S. populations, the prevalence of smoking declines as education increases. Smoking rates were higher among African Americans who had less than a high school education (34.8%) compared to those with a college education (16.7%).³

• Among African American high school seniors, cigarette smoking declined from 1977 (36.7%) to 1992 (8.7%). However, smoking prevalence rates increased from 1992 to 1997 (14.3%).⁴

• Among African American 10th-grade students, smoking prevalence increased by 94% from 1992 (6.6%) to 1997 (12.8%). For African American eighth grade students, smoking prevalence increased by 106% from 1992 (5.3%) to 1997 (10.9%). Although smoking prevalence among African American students continues to be lower than for white and Hispanic students, the rate of increase was substantially higher among African African students than for white and Hispanic students.⁴

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data also show that the rate of past month cigarette smoking among high school students in grades nine through 12 are on the rise -- increasing by nearly a third from 27.5% in 1991 to 36.4% in 1997. The rate of cigarette smoking increased by 80% among African American students, climbing from 12.6% to 22.7% between 1991 and 1997. The most dramatic increase was observed among African American males, whose cigarette smoking prevalence doubled from 14.1% in 1991 to 28.2% in 1997.⁵

• In 1997, there was no significant difference in current cigar use among racial/ethnic groups of high school students -- 22.5% of whites, 19.4% of African Americans, and 20.3% of Hispanics reported smoking cigars in the past month. Cigar prevalence was higher among males than females in all three racial/ethnic groups.⁵

• In 1997, African American male high school students (3.2%) were less likely to use smokeless tobacco products than white male (20.6%) and Hispanic male (5.1%) high school students.⁵

• Of current African American adult smokers, more than 70% indicated that they want to quit smoking completely.⁶ African American smokers are more likely than white smokers to have quit for at least one day during the previous year (48.7% vs 40.3%). African Americans (7.9%), however, are much less likely than whites (14.0%) to remain abstinent for one month or more.⁷

• Prevalence of cessation (the percentage of persons who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes and quit) is higher among whites (50.7%) than African Americans (35.4%).³

• A one-year study found that three major African American publications -- Ebony, Jet, and Essence -- had 12% more cigarette advertisements than widespread publications -- Newsweek, Time, People, and Mademoiselle.⁸

• Studies have found a higher density of tobacco billboards in racial/ethnic communities. For example, a study conducted in Los Angeles, California found the highest density of tobacco billboards (the number of billboards per mile) in African American communities and the lowest billboard placement in white communities.⁹

• Approximately 90% of the billboards in African American communities featured an African American as the central character, while in other ethnic communities whites were portrayed as the central characters.⁹

• The tobacco industry attempts to maintain a positive image and public support among African Americans by supporting cultural events and by funding minority higher education institutions, elected officials, civic and community organizations, and scholarship programs.¹⁰

REFERENCES
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chronic Disease in Minority Populations (1994):. 2-16.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health, Unpublished data, 1995.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Tobacco Use Among U.S. Racial/Ethnic Groups -- African Americans, American Indian and Alaska Natives, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1998.
4. The University of Michigan. Cigarette Smoking Rates May Have Peaked Among Younger Teens 1997 (press release), December 18, 1997.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Tobacco Use Among High School Students--United States, 1997. " Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1998 (46): 433-440.
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Cigarette Smoking Among Adults - United States, 1993." MMWR 1994 (43): 925-929.
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Smoking Cessation During Previous Year Among Adults - United States, 1990 and 1991." MMWR 1993, (42): 504-507.
8. Cummings KM, Giovino G. Mendicino AJ. "Cigarette Advertising and Black-White Differences in Brand Preference." Public Health Reports, 1987 (102):698-701.
9. Stoddard JL, Johnson CA, Boley-Cruz T, Sussman S. "Target Tobacco Markets: Outdoor Advertising in Los Angeles Minority Neighbors" [Letter]. American Journal of Public Health, 1997 (87):1232-1233.
10. Freeman H, Delgado JL, Douglas CE. Minority Issues. Tobacco Use: An American Crisis. Final Report of the Conference (January 1993): 43-47.

Theory of multiple intelligences (Professor Howard Earl Gardner)

Gardner's categories of multiple intelligences is a theoretical axiom whose structure is a derivative of Kant's metaphysical theory of personality. Gardner's perspective of human intelligence attempts to deconstruct Kant's a priori categorical structure. Whereas Kant describes human personality as a homeostatic dialog-ism that extends Aristotelian "idea", Gardner suggests that personality is not static at all; rather it is in a constant state of flux. While personality cannot be pinned down and truly defined, he argues that it circumnavigates around a central impossibility. Therefore, positive human traits often embody the characteristics of their opposites. Human intelligence is both a reflection of and a collapse of its own categories. This being the case, Gardner tries to reconstruct the disintegration of Kant's faulty construction. Gardner's heteroglossia entails 7 distinct non-Kantian groups. The categories of intelligence proposed by Gardner (1983) are the following: 


Bodily-kinesthetic

This area has to do with bodily movement and physiology. In theory, people who have bodily-kinesthetic intelligence should learn better by involving muscular movement (eg. getting up and moving around into the learning experience), and are generally good at physical activities such as sports or dance. They may enjoy acting or performing, and in general they are good at building and making things. They often learn best by doing something physically, rather than reading or hearing about it. Those with strong bodily-kinesthetic intelligence seem to use what might be termed muscle memory - they remember things through their body such as verbal memory or images.

Careers that suit those with this intelligence include: athletes, dancers, musicians, actors, surgeons, doctors, builders, police officers, and soldiers. Although these careers can be duplicated through virtual simulation, they will not produce the actual physical learning that is needed in this intelligence.


Interpersonal

This area has to do with interaction with others. In theory, people who have a high interpersonal intelligence tend to be extroverts, characterized by their sensitivity to others' moods, feelings, temperaments and motivations, and their ability to cooperate in order to work as part of a group. They communicate effectively and empathize easily with others, and may be either leaders or followers. They typically learn best by working with others and often enjoy discussion and debate.

Careers that suit those with this intelligence include sales, politicians, managers, teachers, and social workers.

Verbal Linguistic

This area has to do with words, spoken or written. People with high verbal-linguistic intelligence display a facility with words and languages. They are typically good at reading, writing, telling stories and memorizing words along with dates. They tend to learn best by reading, taking notes, listening to lectures, and discussion and debate. They are also frequently skilled at explaining, teaching and oration or persuasive speaking. Those with verbal-linguistic intelligence learn foreign languages very easily as they have high verbal memory and recall, and an ability to understand and manipulate syntax and structure.

Careers that suit those with this intelligence include writers, lawyers, philosophers, journalists, politicians, poets, and teachers


Logical-mathematical

This area has to do with logic, abstractions, reasoning, and numbers. While it is often assumed that those with this intelligence naturally excel in mathematics, chess, computer programming and other logical or numerical activities, a more accurate definition places emphasis on traditional mathematical ability and more reasoning capabilities, abstract patterns of recognition, scientific thinking and investigation, and the ability to perform complex calculations. It correlates strongly with traditional concepts of "intelligence" or IQ.

Careers which suit those with this intelligence include scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and economists.


Intrapersonal

This area has to do with introspective and self-reflective capacities. People with intrapersonal intelligence are intuitive and typically introverted. They are skillful at deciphering their own feelings and motivations. This refers to having a deep understanding of the self; what are your strengths/ weaknesses, what makes you unique, can you predict your own reactions/ emotions.

Careers which suit those with this intelligence include philosophers, psychologists, theologians and writers.

Visual-Spatial


Main article: Spatial reasoning

This area has to do with vision and spatial judgment. People with strong visual-spatial intelligence are typically very good at visualizing and mentally manipulating objects. Those with strong spatial intelligence are often proficient at solving puzzles. They have a strong visual memory and are often artistically inclined. Those with visual-spatial intelligence also generally have a very good sense of direction and may also have very good hand-eye coordination, although this is normally seen as a characteristic of the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.

There appears to be a high correlation between spatial and mathematical abilities, which seems to indicate that these two intelligences are not independent.Since solving a mathematical problem involves manipulating symbols and numbers, spatial intelligence is involved.

Careers that suit those with this intelligence include artists, engineers, and architects. 


Musical

This area has to do with rhythm, music, and hearing. Those who have a high level of musical-rhythmic intelligence display greater sensitivity to sounds, rhythms, tones, and music. They normally have good pitch and may even have absolute pitch, and are able to sing, play musical instruments, and compose music. Since there is a strong auditory component to this intelligence, those who are strongest in it may learn best via lecture. In addition, they will often use songs or rhythms to learn and memorize information, and may work best with music playing in the background.

Careers that suit those with this intelligence include instrumentalists, singers, conductors, disc-jockeys, orators, writers (to a certain extent) and composers.


Naturalistic

This area has to do with nature, nurturing and relating information to one's natural surroundings. This type of intelligence was not part of Gardner's original theory of Multiple Intelligences, but was added to the theory in 1997. Those with it are said to have greater sensitivity to nature and their place within it, the ability to nurture and grow things, and greater ease in caring for, taming and interacting with animals. They may also be able to discern changes in weather or similar fluctuations in their natural surroundings. They are also good at recognizing and classifying different species. They must connect a new experience with prior knowledge to truly learn something new.

"Naturalists" learn best when the subject involves collecting and analyzing, or is closely related to something prominent in nature; they also don't enjoy learning unfamiliar or seemingly useless subjects with little or no connections to nature. It is advised that naturalistic learners would learn more through being outside or in a kinesthetic way.

The theory behind this intelligence is often criticized, much like the spiritual or existential intelligence (see below), as it is seen by many as not indicative of an intelligence but rather an interest. However, it remains an indispensable intelligence for humans who live almost entirely from nature such as some native populations.

Careers which suit those with this intelligence include scientists, naturalists, conservationists, gardeners, and farmers.

State agency rejects wrongful conviction compensation request (Change you can believe in?)

The state Claims Board has rejected a request for compensation from a man who said he was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault along with two other men in 2000.
Jarrett Adams spent seven years in prison until a federal appeals court overturned his conviction and ordered a new trial in Jefferson County. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Adams' attorney had been ineffective because he failed to introduce a defense witness who testified at the trial of one of his co-defendants that the alleged victim was seen chatting amiably with the three suspects after the alleged attack occurred. That case resulted in a hung jury.
Jefferson County District Attorney David Wambach declined to prosecute Adams a second time for the assault, which allegedly occurred in 1998 at UW-Whitewater.
Wambach urged the board to reject the request, arguing that the reversal of Adams' conviction doesn't mean he's innocent. In its summary, the claims board said Wambach, who is now an assistant attorney general, didn't pursue a retrial "in deference to the wishes of the victim, who did not want to relive the trauma of the sexual assault."
The board concluded in its decision, released Dec. 17, that "the evidence is not clear and convincing that the claimant was innocent of the crime for which he suffered imprisonment."
Adams, of South Holland, Ill., had been seeking the maximum $25,000 reimbursement for wrongful conviction plus $56,111 in attorneys fees.
Keith Findley of the Wisconsin Innocence Project, which represented Adams in his successful appeal, reacted strongly to the decision.
"This is a very unfortunate turn of events and highlights that Wisconsin's system for compensating the wrongly convicted is woefully inadequate," Findley said. "It was bad enough that the state wrongly convicted Jarrett, deprived him of years of freedom for a crime that important new evidence says he did not commit, but now it adds insult to injury by completely turning its back on him when he seeks assistance to get back on his feet and tries to reclaim some of what the state took from him."