'Negro' a Choice on Census Forms

Black folks have had so many different ways of referring to themselves over the years: African American, colored and black. Over time, certain phrases that were once acceptable have been replaced.

Black became popular during the civil rights movement, and African American has slowly slipped in as the term of choice for many descendants of African slaves.

But the Census Bureau is now catching flack for including the throwback word "Negro" when giving blacks a choice of how to describe their race. Question number nine asks what the person's race is and includes "Negro," "Black" or "African American" as one response. Some people are upset about this.

"It's a bad vibe word," Kevin Bishop, 45, a Brooklyn salesman, said to the New York Daily News. "It doesn't agree with me, doesn't agree with my heart."

"I don't think my ancestors would appreciate it in 2010," said Pamela Reese Smith, 56. "I don't want my grandchildren being called 'Negroes.'"

While the choice of the word is outdated, the Census Bureau's explanation actually makes sense:"Many older African Americans identified themselves that way, and many still do," a census spokesman told the Daily News. "Those who identify themselves as 'Negroes' need to be included."

In addition, this is not the first time "Negro" has been used on a census form. The point of the census is to be counted so that resources can be properly and fairly distributed.

According to the Census Bureau:

In addition to collecting population data for the purposes of accurately apportioning congressional districts, the federal government uses census data, among other reasons, to determine: The allocation of federal funding for education programs in states and communities; National social and health statistics used by a variety of agencies for policy purposes; The allocation of federal dollars for law enforcement, federal highway projects, aid to farmers and many other federally financed activities and programs; A wide variety of economic statistics that become the basis of the nation's economic policies.

Given that this information can affect everything from whether you drive on raggedy roads to how many federal dollars your local government gets to assist in a variety of projects, it's helpful for the census to be as inclusive as possible, even if that means using outdated but non-offensive terms.

The response from Black Voices readers is mixed. Melissa Lynette said: "I say Negro and Negress all the time."

MsShaina310, though, says: "This isn't 1932."

The Census Bureau, in an effort to count as many people as possible, should continue its efforts to reach out to young people who may be offended by the use of the term and use this dust-up as an opportunity to continue educating the public about the importance of the census.