Are You a Negro?

That's what question 9 on the 2010 census form asks.

The term, which was used most often during the 1960s, evokes memories of Jim Crow and segregation laws for many African Americans. Many critics say the word is outdated and offensive.

The form was given the green light by Congress more than one year ago and the word has reportedly appeared on past forms.

The U.S. Census Bureau said there are two reasons the term is kept on the form. First, the Office of Management and Budget stipulated that "terms such as 'Haitian' or 'Negro' can be used in addition to 'Black' or 'African-American'." Second, some African-Americans identify themselves as "Negro." The Bureau said in the 2000 census, thousands of African-Americans wrote in "Negro" even though it was already listed in the Black/African-American checkbox.



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