PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota panel responsible for getting rid of offensive place names has suspended work on sites that contain the word "Negro" after some black people said the term is not offensive.

The Board on Geographic Names met in Pierre on Tuesday to consider replacement names for five Black Hills sites that include the word.

But officials from the South Dakota African American History Museum in Sioux Falls told the board that the sites should continue to include the word to recognize the role of African Americans in South Dakota history. Museum curator Porter Williams says the word "Negro" is not offensive.

The board will seek further public comment on whether South Dakota creeks, canyons, hills and other features should continue to include the word.

What do you think? Should the places be renamed?

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

More From KXRB