After Century of Use, the U.S. Census Is Dropping This Word From Surveys
WASHINGTON (AP) — After more than a century, the Census Bureau is dropping its use of the word “Negro” to describe black Americans in surveys.
Instead of the term that came into use during the Jim Crow era of racial segregation, census forms will use the more modern labels “black” or “African-American”.
The change will take effect next year when the Census Bureau distributes its annual American Community Survey to more than 3.5 million U.S. households, Nicholas Jones, chief of the bureau’s racial statistics branch, said in an interview.
In this photograph of a sample 2010 US Census form, obtained by The Associated Press shows question 9: “What is Person 1′s race”, on the first page of the 2010 Census form, with options for White: Black, African Am., or Negro. After more than a century, the Census Bureau is dropping use of the word “Negro” to describe black Americans in its surveys. Instead of the term popularized during the Jim Crow era of racial segregation, census forms will use the more modern-day labels, black or African-American. Credit: AP
He pointed to months of public feedback and census research that concluded few black Americans still identify with being Negro and many view the term as “offensive and outdated.”
“This is a reflection of changing times, changing vocabularies and changing understandings of what race means in this country,” said Matthew Snipp, a sociology professor at Stanford University, who writes frequently on race and ethnicity. “For younger African-Americans, the term `Negro’ harkens back to the era when African-Americans were second-class citizens in this country.”
First used in the census in 1900, “Negro” became the most common way of referring to black Americans through most of the early 20th century, during a time of racial inequality and segregation. “Negro” itself had taken the place of “colored.” Starting with the 1960s civil rights movement, black activists began to reject the “Negro” label and came to identify themselves as black or African-American.
Still, the term has lingered, having been used by Martin Luther King Jr. in his speeches. It also remains in the names of some black empowerment groups that were established before the 1960s, such as the United Negro College Fund, now often referred to as UNCF.
For the 2010 census, the government briefly considered dropping the word “Negro” but ultimately decided against it, determining that a small segment, mostly older blacks living in the South, still identified with the term. But once census forms were mailed and some black groups protested, Robert Groves, the Census Bureau’s director at the time, apologized and predicted the term would be dropped in future censuses.
When asked to mark their race, Americans are currently given a choice of five government-defined categories in census surveys, including one checkbox selection which is described as “black, African Am., or Negro.” Beginning with the surveys next year, that selection will simply say “black” or “African American.”
In the 2000 census, about 50,000 people specifically wrote in the word Negro when asked how they wished to be identified. By 2010, unpublished census data provided to the AP show that number had declined to roughly 36,000.
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Comments (95)
tnman65
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:16pmHell, that’s fine with me. But I want a box that is for English American or Scottish American. I want to be referred to as such. I guess they can still leave the box for white. I might check it also, maybe. Bunch of Friggin Idiots.
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UnreconstructedLibertarian
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:36pmI’ve been writing in “Confederate-American” in the “other” section for years.
I’m probably very high on John Bolton’s acceptable “Drone Strike” list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbeLJCiqm-I&list=LLoUvT6ZXmgmwgVKHoBpKOCA&feature=mh_lolz
At this point the only reason the census even records ethnicity – is to decide who they are going to pander.
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decendentof56
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:38pmMy friends….we all know its part of the plan to divide us, whether by ethnicity, income, or religion. The tactic is always the same…create crisis.
Look at me. I’m from Welch/Scottish decent. What the double hockey sticks would I be listed as?
I’m an American. Period. My 5x great gr-father signed the DOI. He risked everything, and had to leave the bedside of his dying wife to avoid capture by the British. That’s the reality of what we may well face. The current powers in Wash make me sick for his sacrifice.
These hyphenated crackpots can ki#s my bk’side.
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Hadituptohere
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:41pmhow about a box for AMERICAN
or HUMAN RACE with
white black red brown yellow/ check one
I hate checking these friggin boxes every time I go to the doctors
Why do people of creamy complextions get lumped into one category
I find all this offensive
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decendentof56
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:44pmThis gives the politician’s the knowledge of what ethnicities they need to cater to. I have mailed the traitor (NJ Sen) Menendez several times to remind him that he wasn’t elected to represent Hispanic’s. They know me at his office, and probably have a history of my e-mails. He and Lautenberg make me absolutely sick.
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The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 4:26pmI’ve never seen a “white” or “black” person in all my life. I’ve seen mocha, beige, and umber, but never black or white. The phrase is very misleading.
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high school drop out
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:14pmMy question is what will they change it to next? I ask because it’s obvious that any term used to describe that minority goes “Stale” after a certain amount of time……Maybe an “expiration date” is in order? ….you know, Best if used by__
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TurboCat
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 5:11amEvery time there’s a form to fill out and it asks for “race” I write “human”.
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UnreconstructedLibertarian
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:49pmI’m gonna take James David Manning’s word on this subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl_AhjXrdeA
Its worth a watch.
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tonypro
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:59pmI love this man.
He has no problem telling it like it is, without being PC.
He has a real disdain for long legged mac daddy in the Oval office. :-)
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UnreconstructedLibertarian
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:41pmI’m a big fan. Been a subscriber of the “Manning Report” for as long as I’ve been on YouTube.
If the truth hurts, Dr. Manning can bring the pain.
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jas0707
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:39pm***** is certainly more accurate than the contrived “African (insert hyphen) American.”
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circleDwagons
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:37pmI find all these labels offensive. I Always write in American
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michaelmoron
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:34pmI ignore these questions when asked.
I do NOT fill out anything when it comes to ethnicity.
When asked by the clerk why it was not filled out, I ask,
What difference does it make ???????
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Maximus_Delta
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:30pmwhy even put skin color on there to begin with? Oh, that’s right it is all about politics and keeping the votes counted per skin color. Take away the color and make the system fair.
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ginger100
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:29pmThey should change white to marsh mellows cause that’s what we’ve become
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churchee
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:23pmThis change will not mean a thing for the census questionnaires printed in Spanish.
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chips1
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:37pmPoquito-Chocolate.
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whatthecrazy
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:16pmSince you mentioned spanish,where is the box for that?I was told B Of A was having spanish/mexican people checking White box when applying for loan.Does that mean that i am also spanish? if not, i would like my own box please.Btw black people could make things a lot easier if they would pick a description and stick with it already.:)
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barber2
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:22pmAfrican-American ? This term is ridiculous unless one is a first generation African immigrant. This term just says : I am NOT an American. I have a chip on my shoulder. I am only part American . I will not become a full -fledged American.
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Fubared
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:31pmIn a nut shell, yep. I always check everything for the census.
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YOURSENSEI
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:52pmThis is what you must know:
Good news! Mississippi ratified the repeal of slavery. Last week.
It is so.
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Tom21773
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:20pmNow, if they would only fix “White” to “White, Anglo Am, Euro AM, etc”. And how come they assume there’s no Middle Easterners or Mediterraneans in this country.
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DEFCON4
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:06pm“Sheeit, *****. That’s all you had to say!”
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RedeyeBlind
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:58pmThe Wolf is on the way.
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crystalsky
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:04pmI think they better talk to the rapers first teaching the young kids that ****** is O.K. yet they have issues with the word *****?????
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drs1969
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:40pmEven this site has a problem. They not only censored n199er, but n e g r o, as well.
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michaelmoron
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:48pmThis sites “problem” is a politically correct moderator and babysitter called ‘WORDPRESS’
They banned my Original Character for reasons still unknown.
They are a Guestapo-like agency contracted by BECK.
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drs1969
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:00pmRe: Mike
I suspect it will get worse, since Carbonite is still advertising here. Carbonite’s CEO, Friend, was one of the advertisers who tried to take down Rush Limbaugh over that Dem. ‘hack’, Sandra Fluke.
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:01pmGod forbid these PC people learn Spanish and have o say “black” or go to mexico and ask for something black. Their ears might start bleeding.
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spirited
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:03pmWell ain’t it special that ‘anyone’ not specified is simply “white”.
European, South American, Middle Eastern and the rest are just “white”; not even Caucasian?.
Will the Census Bureau request the following information:
~ Are you of American slavery? ___yes ___no (you must check one)
~ Specifiy the number of deceased family members that were slaves: ___ (verification not required).
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SamIamTwo
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:03pmMy neighbor is from Kenya and all of this is foreign to him as he considers himself an American.
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Mil-Dot
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:15pmYou see Sam,
The reason behind the hyphenated American BS is that they want to appear “special” or “victimized” so as to stand out for special treatment. If they were simply “Americans” they would not qualify for all the freebies and false elevation of status and capability. It justifies the discrimination against other ethnic groups in order to make room for them. That is what’s up with that.
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chips1
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:30pmConservative-American was left out. That’s racist.
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barber2
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:35pmMIL: You nailed it. The Democrats have been ” changing” America by playing the Race Card / Discrimination card since the 60s. Remember the housing economic bomb ? Home loans for ” poor minorities/” ACORN ( Obama worked with them in Chicago ) ….
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tonypro
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:39pm@Mil-Dot Nicely stated.
@chips1 Yep I am sooooo offended too.
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:03pmGet a bunch of white South Africans to immigrate to America and become citizens just to drive these people crazy.
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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:02pm.
I vote they replace it with Free Lunch Slave……
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gyro
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:07pmnot nice
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spirited
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:14pm@MONKEY
If that was in reference to Allen West’s, “21 Century Plantation” –gotcha.
>If not, a spanking might be in order.
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drs1969
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:43pmYou got that right!
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The Big Mick
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:02pmTo quote a sight gag from “Off Their Rockers with Betty White”—
“Old is the NEW Black!”
Tells you all you need to know abou the “D’Jinggering” of America.
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tonypro
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:02pmThis story means nadda to me, as I do not take guberment censuses anymore. The guberment already knows more about me, than I know about myself, so they can bite me.
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Youngamericangirl
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:00pmβFor younger African-Americans, the term `*****β harkens back to the era when African-Americans were second-class citizens in this country.β
Whom do they get these opinions from? I go to high school and just a few weeks ago a few black students in my class just in trouble with our white teacher because they wouldn’t stop calling themselves “*****’s.” One of them told her that he didn’t understand why she was getting mad because the word ***** just meant “black.” But all she told him was that it didn’t matter, the word was offensive.
I also must state these same black students and others call each other the other “N” word all the time.
So I just have one question, is it really the younger African-American’s that believe the word is really offensive or the adults that tell them the word is “offensive.”
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Exrepublisheep
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:16pmYou ever listen to two blacks fighting? It certainly doesn’t simply mean “black” then. If it just means “black” why can’t everyone use it?
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SamIamTwo
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:28pmWhen used within the ethnic group it is OK…you see white people don’t understand how the term can be used two fold. LMAO Well that is their take on the slice and dice.
A term of bro, endearment vs hate speech…for one you have to be black and the other you have to be white…and there is no such thing as racism against a white person…just ask Holder about that one.
Personally I believe living in the past is a determinate to social stability going forward.
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Fubared
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:33pmKneegrow gets by the censor.
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drs1969
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:50pmThe idiot who came up w/ this is a product of indoctrination at some public college full of progressives who are intent on brainwashing. I first read Orwell’s 1984 in 1984. He was warning about this kind of thing in the 1940′s.
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kadster01
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 5:58pmDang… and just as I was about to identify myself that way since I’m told we are all from Africa.
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circleDwagons
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:33pmI say we are All African Americans
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FISH_BONE
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 5:57pmI still don’t understand what an African American is. You can be African or you can be American, but you can’t be both.
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tonypro
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:04pmRight fish….either you are an American….or not.
The only way you could possibly be an African American would be if you hold a dual citizenship in both countries.
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spirited
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:10pmIf you were born in Africa,
then
became an American citizen,
you my be called African-American; regardless of light or dark pigmented skin.
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FISH_BONE
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:15pmThanks Tony; however, Africa is not a country. You can’t hold citizenship in a continent.
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kapnkd
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:21pmAMEN!! ….Excellent comment!
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drs1969
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:54pmAA means having special rights and laws in place to protect you, like endangered species act. They are our Hindu Cows.
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tonypro
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:55pm@ FISH_BONE
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:15pm
Thanks Tony; however, Africa is not a country. You canβt hold citizenship in a continent.
………………………………………………..
I stand corrected. I am aware Africa is a continent, was just making a point.
Maybe if they want to be called African they should be listed a little more specific like—oh I don’t know, maybe……Ethiopian American, or Ugandan American, or maybe Kenyan American, even Nairobi American.
If you do that though, then they wouldn’t have a clue what to call themselves anymore. Which brings us back to the start, either you are American or not.
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FISH_BONE
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:07pmI hear you Tony and agree 100%.
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Sergei
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 5:55pmI was kind on shocked to see it on the census form with all of the PC that’s going on… wait… since I noticed it I must be subconsciously letting it get to me as well. I need to go home and put Blazing Saddles on loop….
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Pontiaku
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 5:52pmWhen did “African-American” become a race?
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spirited
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:16pmBingo – ding ding ding
8^> You get the prize!
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Diane TX
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:21pmI can imagine the confusion of a Caucasian born on the continent of Africa and later becomes a naturalized American citizen. Technically, they ARE African-Americans. I have to laugh at these rubes.
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spirited
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:22pmLet’s see if the next change to the Census Bureau is:
>Check African-American box if any ancestor of yours was a slave in the US fwho was born in Africa.
That would actually make sence; so it will only happen
>escept for purposes of reparations
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chips1
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:23pmWhen they started winning all of the marathons.
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unsafe
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 7:49pmWhen all the blacks here made that choice, but the most of them fools think they are from Africa and have never been out of the states. So there is your clue??????
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Gonzo
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 5:52pmHey, I’m not “white” that term offends me. I prefer: “Person of European descent, who the whole effing world owes big time for Western Civilization” Yep, that should do it.
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FISH_BONE
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:02pmAs a Scottish American, I agree. Where do I get my handout?
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The Big Mick
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:03pmI’m Irish and regard “white”, when directed at me,as the equivalent of “N!&&#R”.
I got my own issues with “The Anglos.”
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gyro
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:09pmObama phone is in the saturday mail FISH_BONE
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FISH_BONE
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:30pmThanks GYRO, but I would prefer cash.
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Begbie
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 1:34pmMick, at least you have your Guinness.
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decendentof56
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 5:51pmWhy wasn’t it just “bro” in the first place?
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kapnkd
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 6:20pmToo EASY! ;-))
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