Should The Word ‘Negro’ Disappear From South Dakota Places?

Tonight(Thursday, Oct 24th) at 7 p.m., the South Dakota Board on Geographic Names (SDBGN) is holding a board meeting at the Sioux Falls Library Main Office, 200 N. Dakota Ave. (Meeting Room A).

The purpose of the meeting is to seek additional public comment on whether the word “Negro” is offensive in names of geographic features.  Also the board will be discussing a proposed name for Squaw Creek in Moody County.

The meeting agenda is posted on the board’s website (http://www.sdbgn.sd.gov/)and also at the Sioux Falls Library Main Office.

Current law directs the Board(SDBGN) to rename any features with the word “Negro” in it. At previous meetings comments from the public have been heard stating the individuals and organization representatives do not find the word offensive. Based on those public comments, the Board(SDBGN) is seeking more input from the public regarding the use of the word “Negro” in names  for geographic features in the state.  I

Previous and tonight's public input will be used by the Board (SDBGN) to decide at this meeting whether the features that currently have “Negro” in their name will be renamed or whether the issue needs to be brought to the South Dakota Legislature for further consideration.