Distractions, Progress & the 2010 Census
Today I heard an advertisement on a Chicago radio station. It started off with a heavy bass rhythm in the background, and continued into a full beat that sounded oddly familiar—like it was the new Lil Wayne track of the week. (It seem like he comes out with a new song every other day.) But this was not another “Young Money” -Drake or Nikki Minaj- single that frequents radio stations in Chicago. The track that I heard was a rap song encouraging people (particularly a black demographic) to fill out their 2010 Census forms. I believe our country has made a lot of progress since the 2000 Census (when I was only ten years old and in 4th grade) but this is not a moment in history where the movers and shakers need to fall into the trap of complacency. Tomorrow (April 1st) is the official “National Census Day” and we need to encourage every man, women, in child in the inner city to fill out the census forms and take it seriously.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5FMI1owha0
The United States Census is over 200 years old and despite all the controversy that the word “Negro” is bringing to the census conversation, we still need to focus on how the census can help communities. Yesterday in my Black Feminist and Political Thought class, we watched a movie where Shirley Chisholm said something that hit home for me. Chisholm explained that if she could go back to the period when she was running for president she would of changed only one thing, what she called “the moolah.” This comment made me think about the importance of money and the role it plays in our society. Some call it the “root of all evil,” but in light of the 2010 census, I call it equal public education, more job training, less potholes in the city streets, and after school programs for our youth.
Some think that the census took a six decade step back into the past, when they decided to add the word “Negro” to the options of races one can choose, but I believe that people have allowed it to become a distraction to the actual purpose of the census and an encouragement to the “anti-government right wing activist” that have their minds set on protesting the census. The term was added for one simple reason, in 2000 over 56,000 people used the word “Negro” to identify themselves. I personally think the word is problematic and outdated, but I also recognize that the important thing is to get people to fill the census out, not to argue over generational terms for race. If we start seeing “Negro” on college applications then maybe we can start the revolution. (*joking)
Besides the distracting controversy of the word “Negro,” the 2010 Census has made a lot of progress in identifying members of the LGBT community. For the first time in 23 different census mailings, this year will count same-sex couples who identify as married. The census “allows respondents to self-identify as ‘husband’ or ‘wife’ regardless of whether or not the couple has a valid marriage license.” I am generally happy about this decision, while simultaneously having cautions about the hetero-normative nature of terms like “husband” or “wife.” The census will not count the overall LGBT demographic, but it will provide important information on gay couples. Some would like to call this “progress.” I call it, “we have a long way to go.”
Overall, I think the youtube video says it best, “we need to be counted.” So just like we were encouraging people to vote in the 2008 election, encourage people to fill out their census form, you don’t even have to leave your house to do it.
I’m glad to hear that there are some more LGBT-friendly options on the census. And while the term “Negro” is controversial there is a reality that there are several members of an older generation who may consider themselves as such. I distinctly remember a teacher of mine during my middle school days who repeatedly referred to himself and the general black population as “Negroes.” It’s very interesting what the census is representing for Americans. On one hand, Americans can see it as the government accepting their validity. Americans want to be “counted,” and perhaps this little questionnaire can do it for them. Somehow their presence being known on this form is a call for reform, possibilities, and hope.
And then others just want the government to get out of their households.
Personally, I think it’s just a form. Reform must come through many avenues besides mere “recognition.” And if we’re getting little jingles on the radio and youtube aimed at our demographic, the least we can do is fill out the form for them. We’ll indulge the government’s efforts. (Pitiful as they may be.)
I’m glad to hear that there are some more LGBT-friendly options on the census. And while the term “Negro” is controversial there is a reality that there are several members of an older generation who may consider themselves as such. I distinctly remember a teacher of mine during my middle school days who repeatedly referred to himself and the general black population as “Negroes.” It’s very interesting what the census is representing for Americans. On one hand, Americans can see it as the government accepting their validity. Americans want to be “counted,” and perhaps this little questionnaire can do it for them. Somehow their presence being known on this form is a call for reform, possibilities, and hope.
And then others just want the government to get out of their households.
Personally, I think it’s just a form. Reform must come through many avenues besides mere “recognition.” And if we’re getting little jingles on the radio and youtube aimed at our demographic, the least we can do is fill out the form for them. We’ll indulge the government’s efforts. (Pitiful as they may be.)
Thanks for your comment aaron, your right, Americans and specifically black americans do want to be heard and want to be counted. The census is one small way to do that, but definitely not a means to an end.
Thanks for your comment aaron, your right, Americans and specifically black americans do want to be heard and want to be counted. The census is one small way to do that, but definitely not a means to an end.
You make a great point. Certain individuals appear to be using the word “negro” as a distraction to discourage others from filling out the census form.
I personally feel that if a person is easily distracted by this, they may have serious personal issues that they need to tend to.
Without a doubt, the census is something that will prove beneficial to all. I am most concerned with the inner city areas, and hope that everyone that can is doing all in their power to make sure that census form is filled out correctly.
You make a great point. Certain individuals appear to be using the word “negro” as a distraction to discourage others from filling out the census form.
I personally feel that if a person is easily distracted by this, they may have serious personal issues that they need to tend to.
Without a doubt, the census is something that will prove beneficial to all. I am most concerned with the inner city areas, and hope that everyone that can is doing all in their power to make sure that census form is filled out correctly.
No one is happy with this year’s Census. There is the broad category that is “white”, meanwhile Asia has been divided by every important national boundary. There’s the section for hispanics to write in their nationality(unless you’re one of the big three, in which case you can just check a box). African-Americans generally want to be counted separately seeing as they are different from black Americans(when will we stop referring to every black person as African-American? I hated that in elementary school). And god forbid you’re Arabic or Persian, as you don’t even get a box to check. The only thing I could think of when I watched the head of the Census explain the “negro” controversy was “Ok, this is another case of the generational battle going on in this country”.
We been divided as much as possible, but almost every white race is supposed to come together. Shit, even living in New York, you come to see that white is very specific. This normally doesn’t include the Italians, Spanish, French, Russians, Greek, or Jews. Yet suddenly they’re all the same, which I’ve seen people question. And black is equally as confusing, often leaving out the Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Brazilians, British, and countless others. Can you imagine all the Puerto Ricans who hate being categorized as being black having to fill out this years Census, trying to figure out which race to check?
On the flipside, we do need the money for each district, and once again the Tea Party has shown their stupidity. Many districts that are Tea Party strongholds are refusing to fill out the Census. Just another ploy by the government they can’t trust. The Texas GOP is actually worried they will lose congressional districts because the Tea Party’s refusal to fill out the forms. So a form that is actually pretty important to the advancement of their cause is being thrown in the fire. You know other countries have real revolutionary/separatist groups. Look at Iran, China, the Kurds…no we being America, we get the fuckin’ Tea Party…
No one is happy with this year’s Census. There is the broad category that is “white”, meanwhile Asia has been divided by every important national boundary. There’s the section for hispanics to write in their nationality(unless you’re one of the big three, in which case you can just check a box). African-Americans generally want to be counted separately seeing as they are different from black Americans(when will we stop referring to every black person as African-American? I hated that in elementary school). And god forbid you’re Arabic or Persian, as you don’t even get a box to check. The only thing I could think of when I watched the head of the Census explain the “negro” controversy was “Ok, this is another case of the generational battle going on in this country”.
We been divided as much as possible, but almost every white race is supposed to come together. Shit, even living in New York, you come to see that white is very specific. This normally doesn’t include the Italians, Spanish, French, Russians, Greek, or Jews. Yet suddenly they’re all the same, which I’ve seen people question. And black is equally as confusing, often leaving out the Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Brazilians, British, and countless others. Can you imagine all the Puerto Ricans who hate being categorized as being black having to fill out this years Census, trying to figure out which race to check?
On the flipside, we do need the money for each district, and once again the Tea Party has shown their stupidity. Many districts that are Tea Party strongholds are refusing to fill out the Census. Just another ploy by the government they can’t trust. The Texas GOP is actually worried they will lose congressional districts because the Tea Party’s refusal to fill out the forms. So a form that is actually pretty important to the advancement of their cause is being thrown in the fire. You know other countries have real revolutionary/separatist groups. Look at Iran, China, the Kurds…no we being America, we get the fuckin’ Tea Party…
Thx for you comment Bryan, one thing that people cannot deny is that the census has impact, and regardless of how we feel about the details of that impact, we still need to focus on the overall positive influence that the census can have on our communities.
Alex, your hilarious. you make several great points!!! I love how you point out the irony and stupidity of the tea parties protest in texas. It is also important for me to note that the racialized society that we live in cannot be taken lightly, and perhaps that creators of the census are enforcing a type of racial order that continues to oppress what people call “minorities” that actually make up the majority of many cities and states. But we can fight that battle anytime. For now, I want to keep people focused on getting their forms in, which has a soon arriving deadline.
Thx for you comment Bryan, one thing that people cannot deny is that the census has impact, and regardless of how we feel about the details of that impact, we still need to focus on the overall positive influence that the census can have on our communities.
Alex, your hilarious. you make several great points!!! I love how you point out the irony and stupidity of the tea parties protest in texas. It is also important for me to note that the racialized society that we live in cannot be taken lightly, and perhaps that creators of the census are enforcing a type of racial order that continues to oppress what people call “minorities” that actually make up the majority of many cities and states. But we can fight that battle anytime. For now, I want to keep people focused on getting their forms in, which has a soon arriving deadline.
I seriously don’t believe it. I hope Wayne is healed for the cup!
I seriously don’t believe it. I hope Wayne is healed for the cup!
Recently, I found the 2010 Census form hanging on my door. As I began filling it out, I came across a dilemma. The U.S. government wants to know if my children are adopted or not and it wants to know what our races are. Being adopted myself, I had to put “Other” and “Don’t Know Adopted” for my race and “Other” and “Don’t Know” for my kids’ races.
Can you imagine not knowing your ethnicity, your race? Now imagine walking into a vital records office and asking the clerk for your original birth certificate only to be told “No, you can’t have it, it’s sealed.”
How about being presented with a “family history form” to fill out at every single doctor’s office visit and having to put “N/A Adopted” where life saving information should be?
Imagine being asked what your nationality is and having to respond with “I don’t know”.
It is time that the archaic practice of sealing and altering birth certificates of adopted persons stops.
Adoption is a 5 billion dollar, unregulated industry that profits from the sale and redistribution of children. It turns children into chattel who are re-labeled and sold as “blank slates”.
Genealogy, a modern-day fascination, cannot be enjoyed by adopted persons with sealed identities. Family trees are exclusive to the non-adopted persons in our society.
If adoption is truly to return to what is best for a child, then the rights of children to their biological identities should NEVER be violated. Every single judge that finalizes an adoption and orders a child’s birth certificate to be sealed should be ashamed of him/herself.
I challenge all readers: Ask the adopted persons that you know if their original birth certificates are sealed.
Recently, I found the 2010 Census form hanging on my door. As I began filling it out, I came across a dilemma. The U.S. government wants to know if my children are adopted or not and it wants to know what our races are. Being adopted myself, I had to put “Other” and “Don’t Know Adopted” for my race and “Other” and “Don’t Know” for my kids’ races.
Can you imagine not knowing your ethnicity, your race? Now imagine walking into a vital records office and asking the clerk for your original birth certificate only to be told “No, you can’t have it, it’s sealed.”
How about being presented with a “family history form” to fill out at every single doctor’s office visit and having to put “N/A Adopted” where life saving information should be?
Imagine being asked what your nationality is and having to respond with “I don’t know”.
It is time that the archaic practice of sealing and altering birth certificates of adopted persons stops.
Adoption is a 5 billion dollar, unregulated industry that profits from the sale and redistribution of children. It turns children into chattel who are re-labeled and sold as “blank slates”.
Genealogy, a modern-day fascination, cannot be enjoyed by adopted persons with sealed identities. Family trees are exclusive to the non-adopted persons in our society.
If adoption is truly to return to what is best for a child, then the rights of children to their biological identities should NEVER be violated. Every single judge that finalizes an adoption and orders a child’s birth certificate to be sealed should be ashamed of him/herself.
I challenge all readers: Ask the adopted persons that you know if their original birth certificates are sealed.