Did you Complete the 2010 Census?

This is my first time filling out the census, and like a lot of people, I am curious about how the information is going to be used and by whom. I did some research and decided to share.

The census collects information, it is not good or bad it’s a tool. The information collected by the census is used to determine distribution of power and money. The census is the largest most comprehensive provider of population information. A lot of work in areas ranging from government to product development is based on census numbers. Data is used to determine representation in congress and state legislature. Nonprofit organizations use census information to acquire funding, prioritize projects, and push for fair treatment. (Examples)

One of the big issues I find with the census is the representation of the poor and the people of color. Since these groups are less likely to fill out surveys there is less information about them. The information we do have is not as accurate as it could be because of low response rates. Citizens complain about feeling invisible and not being given access to resources they need. This is your chance to be counted. Next time there is a demonstration or a movement you can say there are this many people in our community and our needs should be met. It is like people who don’t participate in the census don’t exist, their needs are not calculated into their community’s share of resources, therefore their communities don’t get as much support as they need.

The information you put down on the form is confidential by law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9). 2010 has one of the shortest census forms in history. If you have ever had a credit card, or applied for a job that required a background check, the government knows more about you than what’s on that census form.

I admit that the census has many flaws. The ways things like race and ethnicity are labeled is problematic. Even if you have a problem with it you should still fill it out and write your representatives to express your concerns about the form. The U.S census has been conducted since 1790; you can learn the birth date, hometown, number of siblings, and offspring of your ancestors if they filled out past census forms. By filling out this year’s census you are providing this information for your descendants.

I am going to fill out the census. After working for non-profit organizations and doing social research, I see how important accurate population representations are.

Did you complete the census? Do you plan on it? If so why, if not why ?

Information Gathered from:
2010 Census
Maynard Institute
Washington Post
Tuscalossa News

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Comment by JulsnMatt1028 on April 2, 2010 at 5:02pm: So wait, if I fill out the census, I might get deported?

Comment by LB Chica on April 2, 2010 at 3:20pm: Ditto on that, it did not occurred to me, I thought the main thing was people just see it as junk mail, I know my copy almost fell on that pile.

Comment by 562citylife on April 2, 2010 at 1:40pm: This blog owns. I never thought people wouldn't fill it out in fear of being deported. Does anyone have a specific example of how the city uses the information collected from the Census?

Comment by LB Chica on April 2, 2010 at 1:24pm: @Zavijava is just that they spend all this money updating forms they should update "labels" too.

Yeah if someone is not legal then they are not going to believe anything the government tells them, I won't be surprise to hear that they will just trash it.

my form is in the bottom of my school work, spring starts now so I will have time to fill out & send =)

Comment by JON on April 2, 2010 at 11:57am: Filled it out a few days ago and sent -

Comment by Zavijava on April 2, 2010 at 11:55am: @LB Chica, The "negro" label is sketchy, but a lot of 40+ year old black people have negro marked on their birth certificates. I heard my grandparents refer to other people as negro and colored, but they never called themselves that. I think they saw themselves as just American.

"There is nothing in the Census form that asks about citizenship status, said the U.S. Department of Commerce Regional Director Fernando Armstrong. So illegal immigrants have nothing to worry about."

Comment by LB Chica on April 2, 2010 at 11:34am: Aww did not think about people worrying about the deported part...dang!

Comment by Jumakae on April 2, 2010 at 11:09am: good info I got since I was paranoid, too!

"The department of justice mentioned that all the information collected by the Census will be kept confidential. No sharing information with a third party up to 72 years (Japanese-American Internment Camps). Besides, the census workers took the oath to protect ppl’s privacy. If anyone reveal the information to the third party, they will be put in jail for 5 years or fine $250,000.

On top of that, no record showing anyone got deported because they fill out the Census form. Not a record."

Hope that eases your minds, too! =)

Comment by LB Chica on April 2, 2010 at 10:49am: Agh I have it somewhere & will send it out soon I promise!

At work people were complaining about this bit of the form:

Some Other Race? Yes race seem to be a big issue with a lot of people.
The only part that made me do a double look was the Negro part, really? what is this 1950?
And they should just have one choice for everyone of Latin descend, just put LATINO/A and it will cover everyone, no big deal.

Comment by Ofelia R. on April 2, 2010 at 9:32am: yes I did why because the numbers matter in the equal distribution of funds the numbers will talk how much a state or city will need to build infrastructure for the residents.
I am surprise to find out they still people not fill up and worst of all the miss info they have in the fear that Latin person may think they will be used to be send back to their place of origin if they fill the form from the census.
we still need to do more outreach to those communities to clear the fear of been mistreated.

Did you Complete the 2010 Census?

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