The Word “Negro” and the 2010 Census Form
Posted By The Editors | January 11th, 2010 | Category: Political Participation | 7 comments
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By the NAACP Legal Defense Fund Political Participation Practice Group
Recent online polls and news reports have raised a question about the use of the word “Negro” on the 2010 Census form. The brewing controversy focuses on the derogatory history of the term and its connection to racial segregation.
The appearance of the word “Negro” on the 2010 Census form actually reflects America’s prolonged struggle with race. The 1850 form, which did not count slaves as a whole persons, offered three racial choices: “White, black, or mulatto.” By the 1950s, both black and mulatto were removed and Negro was in its place. In 1970, Black reappeared (this time with a capital B) and Negro remained. And it wasn’t until 2000 that African American first appeared as one of three choices on the U.S. Census form: Black, African American, or Negro.
While we have reached a time in American history where the word Negro is far from the way many Blacks self-identify, the Census Bureau’s decision (and Congress’s approval) of the continued use of the word Negro on the 2010 Census form highlights how close our historical experience is to our current history. In fact, America’s use of the word Negro on the Census form since 1950, and its introduction of the term African American for the first time in 2000, may explain why Census officials found that some “respondents provided a write-in response of ‘Negro’ when answering the question on race” on the 2000 Census form.
In the end, the Census Bureau’s decision to include “Negro” on the 2010 Census form was the Bureau’s judgment call. And the 2010 Census may mark the last time the word Negro is included on the Census form in its 60 year history—marking another milestone in American history.
The inclusion of the word Negro on the 2010 Census form cannot be a basis not to participate in the Census. And it is certainly not a reason to fail to identify your race or complete the entire census form. In fact, identifying your race on the census form is one of the best ways to fight against racial discrimination because it helps to monitor whether an act is discriminatory. When you participate in the Census you count yourself in, and when you complete every question on the form you help your community count. Count on Change in 2010 and complete the entire Census form.
For more information about the 2010 Census visit www.countonchange2010.org
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We go through this every single year. We were told that if we participate in the Census back in 2001 things would change and get better. Yet, still masses of black people suffer in poverty where immigrants who barely now the national language succeed and climb up out of poverty.
When we will get it. To them, we will NEVER count. Its time to get our money and it is time to move on. representreparate@blog.com
because they still consider themselves to be “black” and need to change their status.
I was ready to fill out the 2010 Census form and stopped when I saw the N world. I don’t really apprehend the reason why the bureau chooses to use such word -that should be banned from our vocabulary-in the 2010 census. I want to be clear on; it is right or wrong for african descents to check mark this question which contains so much bias.?
To tell the truth I am confused am I now negro, colored, afro-Amer., black or African-American. These coined words describing a people that can not trace their history to Africa because it is not recorded by physically evident. We are labeled with a word on the 2010 census that is branded with segregation. I am sure Congress approved use of the word but not anticipation of the words origin. Its time now we scatch the word off the census form. I am scatching the negro verbage off the form because I am not a negro nor was my father, grandfather or forefathers. We are American men that deserves civil acknowledgment as having African descent not labels branded dealing with racial separation.
My husband and I were both apposed to the word Negro in the form. We chose not to fill out our “color”, as we are all mixed in everyway in America. We are all people, treat everyone equal regardless of color. If we were all blind would we know of color? What would we put on the form then? We are all American.
I remember once when I signed an application as other rather than African -American. I was told I had to sign what race was I. I signed Human race and left a little note saying,”if you want to know what color I am then put what color on the application. I try to make it very clear at all times I am a human being with a name.
I’m ok with, “Black, African Am., or Negro!” But, I don’t understand why the “white” section doesn’t say, “White, European-Am., or Caucasian.” And, although the truth hurts, the section below that should read, “Brown/Red, Native Am., or Mongolic”—that’s my two cents… And perhaps the 4th section might say, “Brown/Yellow, Asian Am., or Mongolic”; and a 5th section would simply say, “Black/Brown, Australian Am., South-Asian Am., or Austrialoidic.” If none of those work, choose “Mullato.” And if you still can’t deside, see a shrink.