Board Seeks Public Comment on Place Names

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota board responsible for getting rid of offensive geographic names is seeking public comment on whether the word "Negro" is offensive.

A state law directs the Board on Geographic Names to find replacement names for any geographic features whose names include the word "Negro." The board has been working to find new names for places that include the term "Negro," but some black people have said they do not find the word offensive.

The board is now seeking additional public comments on whether the word "Negro" is offensive as part of a place name.

Comments can be submitted until Aug. 1 by mail to the Department of Tribal Relations, 302 E. Dakota, Pierre, S.D. 57501. A comment form is online at http://www.sdbgn.sd.gov/.

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