We, the American Negroes, the indigenous People of Color, Request the Redaction and Repeal of the term African American.

In regard to the H.R. 4238 Bill eliminating the former terms used federally to identify our ethnic and racial identities, i.e., Negro, Puerto Rican, American Indian, Eskimo and Oriental. Mr. President, Sir, I understand the rationale in eliminating terms that were used and interpreted as derogatory or racially demeaning. I also understand that these classifications are said to be outdated in many federal laws from times past. However, I respectfully disagree with this action on the premises of its lack of democratic process in giving the people who will be directly affected by this decision a voice to express their individual preferences. Many people of color will now involuntarily be mandated to racially identify with classifications and terms that have been imposed, not chosen.