So which is it..

.offensive or not offensive to use the word "Negro"?
(Crumpets courtesy of GateWay Pundit)

So are you saying the word "Negro" is okay to use in today's society now?   I mean this is the 20-10's, not the 1810's, right?

 “The way he said it was quite awkward, but nonetheless, not offensive. That what he said was actually part of a calculus as to why he believed Barack Obama could be elected in this country today.”

NAACP Rep. Hilary Shelton
On Harry Reid calling Obama a light-skinned negro

 Video is located here

And I knew I saw this article somewhere else, about the US Census:   (another Gateway Pundit crumpet)

But younger generations are angered by the use of the term.

“I find the word ‘Negro’ to be quite offensive when it comes to the census and separating and differentiating among races because of the history of the use of the word,” said Taryn Anthony, a 25-year old graduate student. “I’ve yet to hear someone use it in a respectable manner, so placing it on a census seems as yet another way to set back African-Americans.”

So which is it?  It's offensive or acceptable now?   I mean someone help those of us who don't want to get anyone upset at us...