Negro

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Negro is a term historically used to describe people of Black African descent. The word originated from the Spanish and Portuguese term for "black," derived from the Latin word "niger." The term has been used in various contexts, including anthropology, sociology, and history, but its usage has evolved over time and is now considered outdated and offensive in many cultures.

Historical Usage

The term "Negro" was widely used during the colonial era and the transatlantic slave trade to categorize people of African origin. It was employed in scientific racism to classify human populations based on physical characteristics. In the United States, the term was commonly used in the 19th and early 20th centuries, appearing in legal documents, literature, and everyday language.

Civil Rights Movement

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, the term "Negro" was used by prominent leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). However, as the movement progressed, the term "Black" and later "African American" became more widely accepted and preferred.

Modern Usage

In contemporary language, the term "Negro" is largely considered archaic and offensive. It has been replaced by terms such as Black, African American, and people of color. The shift in terminology reflects a broader societal change towards more respectful and accurate descriptions of racial and ethnic identities.

Related Terms

• African American
• Black
• Colored
• People of color
• Scientific racism
• Transatlantic slave trade
• Civil Rights Movement

See Also

• Racism
• Ethnic group
• Human classification
• History of slavery
• Jim Crow laws