I think much of the "power" is removed as it is. Fifty years ago this was the ultimate insult as it referred to nothing but negative about a person. When anyone was called by such a term it implied they had nothing to offer and were among the most useless of people. If you were a member of this group you knew this was nonsense, and you could not help but be insulted by the constant reminder that at one time you and yours were considered 3/5ths of a population and not to be counted as a whole.

I think much of this memory has faded, hence the renewed used of the term among younger people.

But that is just my ignorant opinion. It would be interesting to see what insights others here might have, and I will be the first to admit that as a White skinned person I am on the outside looking in on this subject.