The Census

Well its time to step up and be counted. This year's census is one of the most important one to us as black people. With all that is happening with us as far as affirmative action. We cannot afford to be underrepresented in this year census. 

One thing that worries me is on the long form, which I myself had to take. It is mailed out to one out of every six Americans. There are two questions on there, one is about race, and the other one is about your ethnic heritage. The one about race gives you the option of a white box if you are white. Then if you are black, the box for that says Black, African American, and Negro. 

Then there is a host of boxes for other races, such as Indian, Asian, and so on. Then several questions later they ask you the ethnic questions. This is where it becomes confusing, because if you are like me, you have a little bit of other things mixed in. I have a lot of Indian. But for this question I put African American, I think this is the one choice they give you If you are black. Even though I have the Indian mix, I pick the African American box. I wanted to make sure no matter what I counted as black. 

This is very important to check both of these boxed the same way, for there is no mistake. If you have something else in you, as far as this census go it is not going to help you if you are considered black. I am considered black no matter what I have in me. So I want to make sure I get counted as black. My kids are black and live in a black neighborhood just as I do. So I want them to be able to get all the benefits of being counted as black.

They're federal dollars at stack for community projects, hospitals, flood relief, and the list goes on, and on. We as a people must not take this lightly, or for granted. It is a very personal form, it ask a lot of personal questions. But it is important for us as race of people to get counted. To use the power of numbers. So if you are black don't come up short. Fill out the census and be counted. Remember minorities are the fast growing majority in America today.

By: Chris Brown