Posted on 01/07/2010 12:00:04 AM PST by FromLori
Question #9 Causes Uproar, Asks For Citizens To Pick 'Black,' 'African American' Or 'Negro' From Same Box
A fiery blast from the past is conjuring controversy in the new millennium. The word "negro" is now featured on an official U.S. document and now many are questioning if the Census Bureau is being insensitive.
It's a word that many African Americans associate with segregation, so imagine how shocked many were to see it on the 2010 U.S. census form.
"The fact that it's 2010 and they're still putting 'negro,' I am a little offended," said Secaucus resident Dawud Ingram.
Question #9 on the this year's census asks about your race. One of the boxes you can choose is "black," "African American," or "negro," all placed next to the same box. Ingram said it's not a word he uses to identify neither himself nor anybody else.
"African Americans haven't been going by the term 'negro' for decades now. It's really confusing," he said.
But census officials disagree, saying they found some older African Americans identify themselves that way and they're trying to be inclusive. In a statement, they said: "Results from the census in 2000 showed that a number of respondents provided a write-in response of 'negro' when answering the question on race."
In fact, Congress approved the form more than a year ago. Newark resident Jabbar Ali can't believe it.
"I thought it was something we left behind a long time ago – the word 'negro,'" said Ali.
Chanou Wilshire said the census form doesn't give her an option since it's got "African American," "black," and "negro" next to the same box.
"It's highly offensive," she told CBS 2.
But not everyone is offended.
"How you define yourself I guess is subjective. But for me, that on a form doesn't offend me at all," said Brooklyn resident Tiffany Campbell.
Others don't understand why the question of race has to come up on any form.
"I'm an American. What's wrong with just being an American?" asked Newark resident Derri Gowns.
Census bureau officials said they're preparing for the 2020 form, asking folks now in a questionnaire whether the word 'negro' should be removed.
What do you think about the word? Should it be removed? Vote in our poll on the right and leave your comments below!
“I’m an American. What’s wrong with just being an American?” asked Newark resident Derri Gowns.
Correct answer.
Okay, how about we stop this Government sponsored Neo-Retro-Racism (GSR), and start calling citizens Americans! For the only people perpetuating racism are the true racists of the race protection racket, namely U.S. Government, race hustlers and friends of government.
I’m so sick of hyphenated-Americans.
If you’re brown,tan-to-pitch black,red,yellow or white we can figure out your heritage.
If you’re here legally,you’re an American.Got it?
Divide and conquer.
Play one side against the other and both sides against the middle.
This is the purpose of the us federal government and it’s unconstitutional census.
Two adults live in this house.
That is all.
Furthermore I recall reading somewhere that immigrants from the Caribbean Islands don’t (as a rule) like being called African-Americans.
In my lifetime the acceptable terms have been re-branded a few times... every decade there will be a new term at this rate and if you use the old accepted brand, you are a racist... unless you are:black a person of color.
colored
a negro
an afro-american
an African-American
Hope I got that right - wouldn't want to be branded a racist.
I'm just wondering - did the "United Negro College Fund" change it's name?
What about the NAACP "National Association for the Advancement of Colored People"?
The census bureau is just being culturally sensitive. Negro is Spanish for ‘black.’ Many spanish-speaking folks are black.
I thought the entire human race came out of Africa? I think I’ll check the ‘negro’ box.
Cross them all out and put “American”.
Just because the race pimps are trying to be “culturally sensitive” doesnt mean we have to buy into all this BS.
I’m not sure they want to.
The Census should add a checkbox named “Dirty Moslem.”
And one called “Communist.”
And one called “Citizen of ___________.”
Nothing is wrong with it Derri, and we're really proud that you are one of us.
Agreed, it has come to that. Although, I do not believe that it is about just being hyphenated. It has to do with government not protecting all of society equally and bestowing extra-Constitution privileges upon favored groups and in some ways creating a reverse psychology protected group that can abuse others while owing allegiance to perpetuating the matter…then at the other end friends of government using the citizenry as a tool for profit in this fraud; just think political corruption, global warming or any one of a number of government sponsored scams.
That's nationality not race. Cross them all out and put "human."
> The census bureau is just being culturally sensitive. Negro is Spanish for ‘black.’ Many spanish-speaking folks are black.
The etymology of the term “negro” goes back even further than Spanish, to Latin.
I do not understand why Negroes spend so much time, effort and attention on what people should call them, or on what they should call themselves. Nobody else does.
Surely this is a sign of insecurity.
I do, especially on job apps, prove I am not; oh you mean cause the color of my skin therefore you say I am not; then you are a racist! Try it, watch people back peddle so fast you think they were in a race against Lance Armstrong.
Sounds like good fun. Remember the ‘one drop rule.’
“Divide and conquer.”
Clarity...
Just think balkans, balkanization and government being the sole arbiters of who gets which privilage. This why Government Education is in the state it is in (how’s that for bad english).
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