Why Do So Many Places In Texas Have 'Negro' In Their Name, Despite A Law Against It?

Updated at 5:53 p.m. ET

Editor's note: This is a story about the pervasive nature of racial insensitivity in America and how it persists to this day, and contains terms some might find offensive.

In 1991, Texas passed a law to remove the word "Negro" from its place names. But today, over two dozen geographic places in the state — think creeks, valleys and other small features — still have the word in their names.

That's because the federal government blocked the name changes.

In almost 30 years, only one of the places mentioned in the bill has been renamed, according to an NPR review. And the most vocal advocates of this law weren't aware the changes had never been made until NPR contacted them earlier this year.

Rodney Ellis, a Harris County commissioner and the bill's sponsor in 1991, said it