‘Negro,’ ‘Oriental’ and ‘Indian’ To Be Abated From All Federal Laws

President Obama signed bill H.R. 4238, “modernizing terms relating to minorities,” into law Friday.

Over the years, the minority have been looked down upon, ill-treated, teased by peers and felt inferior due to their historical background. In the 21^st century, many have overcome these inferiority complexes and risen above the pedal, of which our president Barack Obama is one. But many still suffer these and are daily offended by friends, colleagues at work and people they never even met due to the terms given to them.

In view of this, our president thought it wise to end the use of these racially offensive words such as “Negro” and “Oriental” out of the Federal laws by signing a bill.

Sponsored by Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and co-sponsored by all 51 members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, bill H.R. 4238 will strike words such as “Negro, American Indian, Eskimo, Oriental, or Aleut or a Spanish speaking individual of Spanish descent” and replace them with “Asian American, Native Hawaiian, a Pacific Islander, African American, Hispanic, Puerto Rican, Native American, or an Alaska Native.”

Many have expressed their opinions concerning the removal of these names from the Federal laws. Meng, for example, said that she is especially happy that the word “Oriental” is now going to be forgotten.

“Many Americans may not be aware that the word ‘Oriental’ is derogatory,” says Meng. “But it is an insulting term that needed to be removed from the books, and I am extremely pleased that my legislation to do that is now the law of the land.”

This is exciting to know but black people and other minorities face a lot of economic problems like unemployment, housing, health issues, just to mention a few. They need to be addressed and solved as soon as possible.

Kindly share this article to spread the good news and to end racism.