Census question draws some ire

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While some call it offensive, others say it's just outdated. forms going out for this year's census contain a word choice that's already stirring up controversy. misa maruyama is live downtown tonight with the word that's become a lightning-rod for debate. the 2010 census form gives people the option of describing their race as "negro". a prominent black politician says the debate stems from a generational divide. she says some in the older generation even prefer the word "negro." but a univeristy of new mexico professor says many in the younger generation have a different take. state representative jane powdrell- culbert believes the word used to be considered an improvement over the alternative. i think prior to the 60s there was a generation that preferred being called negro because that was certainly better than being called colored. decades later -- the word negro is still around. it shows up on the latest census form. question number nine asks about race, with one of the answers listed as "black, african-american or negro" -- a term more often used in the decades ago. for some -- it brings back memories of fighting for civil liberties. you will find african- americans, and african-american families, who are probably 68, 69 and maybe older who prefer the word negro. for others -- not so much. younger people first of all are used to being called black or african- american. it's a choice that they make. . the word negro has negative connotations for many of them because of the activity that happened during the 60s and the civil rights. especially the more militant black power movement. negro came to be associated with complacency, servility and unwillingness to fight for your rights. at the end of the day --- census officials say using the word negro is about inclusion. we're told about 50 thousand people identified themselves as negro in the 2000 census. when more people identify themselves that way -- more federal money goes to programs catering to racial minorities.

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Census question draws some ire

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While some call it offensive, others say it's just outdated. forms going out for this year's census contain a word choice that's already stirring up controversy. misa maruyama is live downtown tonight with the word that's become a lightning-rod for debate. the 2010 census form gives people the option of describing their race as "negro". a prominent black politician says the debate stems from a generational divide. she says some in the older generation even prefer the word "negro." but a univeristy of new mexico professor says many in the younger generation have a different take. state representative jane powdrell- culbert believes the word used to be considered an improvement over the alternative. i think prior to the 60s there was a generation that preferred being called negro because that was certainly better than being called colored. decades later -- the word negro is still around. it shows up on the latest census form. question number nine asks about race, with one of the answers listed as "black, african-american or negro" -- a term more often used in the decades ago. for some -- it brings back memories of fighting for civil liberties. you will find african- americans, and african-american families, who are probably 68, 69 and maybe older who prefer the word negro. for others -- not so much. younger people first of all are used to being called black or african- american. it's a choice that they make. . the word negro has negative connotations for many of them because of the activity that happened during the 60s and the civil rights. especially the more militant black power movement. negro came to be associated with complacency, servility and unwillingness to fight for your rights. at the end of the day --- census officials say using the word negro is about inclusion. we're told about 50 thousand people identified themselves as negro in the 2000 census. when more people identify themselves that way -- more federal money goes to programs catering to racial minorities.

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Last Updated: May 23, 2026

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