Colored - History in America

History in America

The term "colored" appeared in North America during the colonial era. In 1851 an article in the New York Times referred to the "colored population". In 1863, the War Department established the "Bureau of Colored Troops." The first 12 Census counts in the U.S. enumerated "colored" people, who totaled nine million in 1900. The Census counts of 1910–1960 enumerated "negroes."

Today it is generally no longer regarded as a politically correct term. It lives on in the association name National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, generally called just NAACP.

Carla Sims, communications director for the NAACP in Washington, D.C., said "The term 'colored' is not derogatory, chose the word 'colored' because it was the most positive description commonly used at that time. It's outdated and antiquated but not offensive."