Army Drops ‘Negro’ as Acceptable Term for African Americans
When the Rev. Jesse Jackson began arguing for the use of the term ‘African American’ instead of black, back in 1988, the term ‘Negro’ was already long out of common usage. Seems no one told the U.S. Army.
Until Friday, the U.S. Army was allowing “Negro’’ to be used as an acceptable term when describing “black or African American’’ personnel. The Army changed its policy and issued an apology Friday after CNN reported that the Army Command Policy known as AR 600-02 said “terms such as ‘Haitian’ or ‘Negro’ could be used in addition to ‘Black’ or ‘African American.’’’
“Black’’ and/or “African-American’’ are the only acceptable terms under the new policy.
“The U.S. Army fully recognized, and promptly acted, to remove outdated language in Army Regulation 600-20 as soon as it was brought to our attention,’’ Army spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Alayne Conway said in a statement.
“We apologize to anyone we offended,’’ she said.
CNN said the regulation is periodically updated “but the Army could not say how recently the word was added to the document.’’
The Army is not alone. After using the term for more than 100 years, The U.S. Census Bureau dropped “Negro’’ last year in response to critics who asked for it to be removed from the 2014 American Community Survey. The first census was taken in 1790 and carried only three racial categories: “free white,’’ “all other free persons’’ and “slaves.’’ In 1900 the census introduced the term “Negro’’ to identify people of African descent.
“Where the F did that come from?’’ said a 20-year U.S. Army serviceman who did not wish to be named.
“When this story broke,’’ he told Boston.com, “the guys in the office commented: ‘Is the Civil War still going on?’’’
Lt. Col. S. Justin Platt, an Army spokesman, told CNN the use of the word comes from an outdated section.
“The racial definitions in AR600-20 para. 6-2 are outdated, currently under review, and will be updated shortly,’’ he said on Wednesday.
“The Army takes pride in sustaining a culture where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect and not discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender and national origin.’’
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com