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