The Army is backtracking on a policy it published last month stating that “Negro” was an acceptable term to refer to black service members.
According to CNN, "Army Command Policy," known as regulation AR 600-20, received some negative publicity after the Army released the information. Officials apparently now realize the error of their ways.
A section of the regulation stated under "Black or African American" that the category would include "[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.' "
The Army would not say how long the wording had existed in the policy or when it was last updated, but after the policy came to light, it was quickly amended.
"The U.S. Army fully recognized, and promptly acted, to remove outdated language in Army Regulation 600-20 as soon as it was brought to our attention," an Army spokesman said in a statement. "We apologize to anyone we offended."
The policy now states that the only acceptable terms to use are "Black or African American."
"The Army takes pride in sustaining a culture where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect," a Pentagon spokesman said Friday.