2010 Census - "Negro"

[TheSuaveOne]

I wonder how long before this gets removed from the current census?

Discuss.

-TSO

 

[QUENTIN]

Why should it be removed? If it just said "Negro" it would be a problem. It's on a list with "Black and African-American" providing options for how people choose to identify themselves.

"Caucasian" should be added next to "White" though for the same reason.

 

[TheSuaveOne]

Why should it be removed?

"Caucasian" should be added next to "White" though for the same reason.

Actually there is no history in the United States for caucasian being used as a derogatory word...unlike Negro.

-TSO

 

[QUENTIN]

That's not the point. Because of the offensive connotation, if "Negro" were the only word listed it would definitely be a problem and need to be changed.

But because it's on a list with black and african-american, it is merely one in a list of options people use to self-identify. I know older black men who call themselves negroes, it's how they've always self-identified. Other options are listed for those who choose to self-identify as "black" or "African-American," the three being separated primarily as a generational thing. "Negro" is not inherently offensive like "******" and within this context has no reason to be construed that way.

I offer that there are white people who find "white" a silly, poorly descriptive reflection of their race for the same reason there are "black" people who feel that way about "black" to describe their race. Both are minorities of their respective populations, but given that the Census has included multiple options to provide accurate self-description for a variety of sensibilities, I think "Caucasian" should also be included next to white as "Hispanic/Latino" often is on forms and should be for the same reasons.

 

[xotoxi]

I wonder why they had to abbreviate "American" as "Am.".

Were they concerned about running out of space?

 

[TheSuaveOne]

My wife is Lebanese and wonders why she gets lumped into the "white" category.

-TSO

 

[xsited1]

What about White *******?

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FIBJt-c2o0[/ame]