Let's Get Our Money...Census 2010

One of the most critical forms of civic engagement – and most overlooked -  is participating in the U.S. census.

Just as much as it is our responsibility as Americans to stand up for what we believe, participate in local, state and federal votes, inform ourselves of the latest in policy and issues facing society, and hold our representatives accountable,  the census precedes even these things.

The Census is used to allocate more than $400 billion to states and tribal governments for projects in the area – infrastructure improvements and developments for instance.

So before even talking about how politicians are spending the money they have on the issues that are facing us – they have to get the money.

The census is also used to apportion seats in the House of Representatives.

Talk about political power – the people are powerful because what governments have to spend or the representatives they have to influence policy on the Hill directly depends on each person that is counted in their jurisdiction.

And this year in 2010, it looks like they are making changes to reduce the “burden” of filling one out.  I mean sure there is the confusion some blacks may feel when deciding if they are black or Negro (is colored on there too?) but they are estimating the mail-in copy should only take 10 minutes.

To ignore the call to be counted is automatically putting us at a disadvantage.

The U.S. Census Bureau has been rolling out an advertising campaign to let people know it is coming – but is announcing simply its presence enough?

Beyond apathy, I think that it might boil down to education on the census’s impact. I mean there are those that face a physical barrier to going (rural communities have to go get their mail, but they want to fill out the census) and there are those that face a mental barrier (those that get the census and do not see anything more than a piece of paper with questions).

It is more than a set of empty questions.  The connection to our lives is more direct.

Before you can argue for more government funding of after school programs in urban communities, or protest for more task forces to tackle gang violence or school safety…

Before you argue for state initiatives to improve graduation rates, or look for redevelopment of districts hit hard by economic pitfalls…

You have to be counted.  Let’s put ourselves on the books, so that we can hold politicians accountable if they use funds exclusively for one community and not for others.  Let’s stand up and be counted, so that we can raise our voices in protest if the money is used to support one interest group’s interests and not the interests of the people.

Because they will not be able to feign ignorance of our presence.

Don’t be an unknown unknown.  Don’t give anyone in a position of authority the justification of ignoring the needs of your community.  Fill out the census and through our actions WE can begin the process to having our needs met, and our communities heard.

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