I've always wondered on this point.
Let's assume for the sake of argument that BHO’s mother gave birth in Hawaii. If she and BHO Sr. were at the hospital, one of them would likely fill out the info form that the hospital would use for BC information. Likely BHO Sr. as mom would be busy at that moment...
Would a Kenyan in 1961, filling out such a form, refer to himself as a “Negro”?
This is well before my time, but it doesn't seem surprising to me that a Kenyan would refer to himself as an “African” rather than a “Black” or a “Negro”.
I have this perception of “Negro” being a American term.
Kind of how if I read “Colored” I'd think America. But if I read “fuzzy-wuzzy” I'm thinking British....
Entirely a question of perception, I suppose.
Quite a few months ago someone did a bit of research and found the official list of racial and ethnic terms used on Hawaii documents in the early 60s. I wish I could remember who it was or exactly what was on the list. Maybe someone else remembers. “African” was not on the list, and IIRC neither was “black”. Again, IIRC, the word was “Negro”.
The information for the BC is provided *after* the birth. Almost always by the mother. Likely BHO Sr wasn't even present at the hospital. All evidence point to Stanley Ann and BHO Sr never living together, at least after the birth, and since they were married a mere 6 months before the birth, they likely never actually lived together. No one remembers them living together, AFAIK, not even BHO Sr's friends who remember lots of other stuff about him.