Blogging Black Miami

Message NAACP on Census Sunday March 14

The NAACP has designated March 14 as Census Sunday. The NAACP is urging all Pastors to highlight the importance of everyone mailing back the Census forms they have received in the mail. 

Over 600 billion dollars are distributed on the basis of the Census numbers and the traditional undercount in the Black community ensures that monies that should go to these areas goes elsewhere.  The return rate of mail in forms in some predominantly Black areas is about 45% while communities such as Hialeah and Sweetwater return almost 80 percent. In April the Census workers will try to go door to door to get the persons who did not respond but that is difficult and persons are missed. 

In addition to the allocation of Federal dollars the numbers are used to draw voting districts.  Be sure and count everyone in your household as they are not likely to be counted elsewhere.  For the Black vote to have the greatest influence all persons of African descent need to check the box African American/Black.  

We urge everyone to bring this important issue to be brought to the attention of their Pastor. Let us know if your church needs fliers and is participating. Visit the NAACP web site for more information.  www.NAACP.org.

 

Republicans press to add citizenship question to Census forms

From our friends at www.fortreport.com 

By WILLIAM DOUGLAS

McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON -- Immigration, an issue placed on the congressional backburner by attempts to revamp the nation's health care system, is percolating again as Republican lawmakers are pushing a measure that would require U.S. Census forms to include a question about the citizenship status of respondents.

 

An amendment by Sens. David Vitter, R-La., and Bob Bennett, R-Utah, to freeze Census Bureau funds if it doesn't add the citizenship question to more than 425 million forms before the once-a-decade count begins in April has divided Latino groups, as well as some opponents of comprehensive immigration legislation. MORE.........

 

 

From The Children’s Trust: 2010 Census Campaign (Don’t sleep on this!)

Learn more about how you or your agency can assist The Census Bureau in getting an accurate count for the all-important upcoming 2010 Census. The Children's Trust is working together with more than 10,000 organizations nationwide to assist this effort, the basis for a wide range of federal funding. Last census, it was estimated that 6.4 million people, many of them people of color, were not counted.

For educators seeking materials on the upcoming census to use in their classrooms, click here. For nonprofits, visit NonProfits Count. For census jobs, click here.

Also be sure to visit the U.S. Census 2010 Web site that includes a wealth of information. You can even listen to the seconds counting down until it starts!