Posted on Nov 2, 2014
Why was this included in the updated AR 600-20 ("Negro")?
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This is in the new AR 600-20, Page 55 dtd 22 October 2014, under Equal Opportunity Policy: (c) Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Terms such as "Haitian" or "Negro" can be used in addition to "Black” or “African American”. We'll I don't believe I've ever met any black Soldiers who refer to themselves as Negro. So this new regulation allows me to refer to myself as Negro, so what's stopping every and anyone else from referring to me as Negro. This is only a couple of syllables from the other N word. What group is referring to themselves as Negro at this point in time? Why, would this ever even be included in the regulation? It think it's problematic and will only incite additional racial issues in the Army. I personally find it to be offensive! This is my opinion, what is your opinion.
Posted in these groups: 
AR 600-20
AR 600-20
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 40
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I always preferred light green and dark green, but that's just me. I find the term 'negro' to be a throw back to segregation and therefore unacceptable as a modern term, never mind as part of an Army regulation. I realize that different people are going to want to be called different things, but I've yet to meet a dark green Soldier who called themselves a negro.
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MSG Darren Gaddy
You may want to speak with those with Spanish as a first or second language, or from a Latin culture?
You may want to speak with those with Spanish as a first or second language, or from a Latin culture?
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Simply put, If you are referring to a "Black American" or an "African American", why can't you just say "Black American" or an "African American"... Why re-introduce a word that really is offensive to most that it is referred to as well as most it isn't referred to? Just because it is now in AR 600-20 doesn't make it right, or legal... Oh well... I guess I'm going to have to select "Other" on future applications...
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SSG (Join to see)
Well, I also think the terms Negros and African Americans are a misrepresentation to Black Americans. The word Negro left our vocabulary 50 years ago and according to the Constitution there is no such person and an African American. You can not have a dual citizenship in the US. You know how I feel about it Curtis!
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
Truthfully? I don't recall discussing or getting to vote on the acceptance of the title "African American"... I woke up one morning and it was there...
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feels like the army just took 5 steps back as far as equal opertunites go hopefully this gets changed, its still a slap on the face of the army as a whole
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I am obviously Caucasian, but there is something about the word "Negro" that feels demeaning and offensive in terms of how others may interpret it. Honestly, the reg could have been just as clear if they used other language that may not have been so sensitive. As we all know, it's not whether YOU intended to offend someone, but whether THEY reasonably took offense to it. Just my two cents.
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I saw that today. I have to think that someone will be losing their job in short order.
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SFC Edward Sneed
I hope they lose their job too. This is not an AR requirement. The military regulations are not race related regulations. They are instruction manuals for proper military conduct and actions.
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Being retired for many years, and seeing this still as a topic of discussion is a dam shame. Additionally I also happen to be the exceptionally proud grand father of by racial grandchildren, and I dare any man or woman to declare any out of context slur. You would meet swift justice from this immigrant form Germany, who became a proud American in 1973. I had to get a top secret clearance and that wasn't going to happen under my former status. I will say this to all, that when we took our oath upon entering the service I do not recall anything concerning ethnicity. So why does it even continue to come up now, we as the leaders in the services can and should push harder for this to change. The Military has had Regs and a Uniformed Code of Conduct as well as Justice, which has by no means been flawless. So get it fixed. Because folks it's like I used to tell my recruits in basic training, we all wear the same color uniform and bleed the same color blood! There is no other difference between us, but once you depart the military it's up to each and every one of us to continue to educate.......
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I don't even have a race or color, its' "Pacific Islander". Lol
O, I forgot, we even can't vote, Obama said we on Guam aren't real citizens, We's a US Colony.
O, I forgot, we even can't vote, Obama said we on Guam aren't real citizens, We's a US Colony.
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I grew up in a racially segregated neighborhood in Texas. The term is too close to other words of the same general spelling and it offends me. Taking the high road means considering things from people to be from people aside from Irish-German-Polish-Italian-Cuban-Russian-Greek-Spanish-American or any of that disturbing silliness.
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Soldiers, brothers and sisters in Arms, the Update is out there dated 6 NOV 2014.
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