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Monday, January 11, 2010

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The term Negro has been on the form since the 50s, but some say it's now outdated.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"It's still out of date, it's not offensive like if you were to say something to me I'm going to get mad about it, but it shouldn't be on a paper like that," he said.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.