[Ditter]

In the 60’s they wanted to be called Negro, I remember by told by a Negro that black was an offensive term. Colored was OK at the time. Spade, nig and jig were not allowed.

[MUDDOG]

Indeed.

Another phrase from that time: "He's a credit to his race."

[AlexW]

“”Negro” instead of “nigra.””
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My grandparents from Atlanta always referred to them as “nigras”. It was not derogatory.
I grew up in Memphis from the 40s. They were called “colored”.
Public signage used “colored”, and it was the term that my family used.