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United States
- As promotion
of U.S. Census 2000 continues, many American Indian and other communities
continue to decide how they will participate in the process. As indicated
by the advertising and "partnership outreach" for Census 2000 , the U.S.
Census Bureau is expecting
maximum participation. But despite all the publicity, one question consistently
surfaces - are most people still reluctant to fill out forms, which will
ultimately affect the distribution of billions of dollars in Federal Funds.
Another
interesting twist to this story is that
while the U.S. Census Bureau is doing all it can for outreach, many persons
have still not received their census forms in the
mail. A recent Daily News article affirms that in New York, thousands
of census forms never even made it to their intended destinations. It
seems that a computer error provided incorrect addresses on all forms.
Further
complications for responses can be seen in an editorial by Ms. Rosemary
Richmond (Mohawk) of the American Indian Community House. Ms. Richmond
states "The traditional belief of many Indian Nations is that you do not
take part in outside government actives."
As
another Daily News article confirms, that this
attitude is prevalent among other groups as well, as a poor response by
Blacks could mean higher 'numbers' for Latino communities who seem to
be mobilizing for maximum participation.
UCTP
Representatives present a special gift to Thelma Stiffarm of the U.S.
Census Bureau.
Shown from left to right are DeAnna Rivera, Vanessa Inarunikia, Thelma
Stiffarm and Genetha Ali
To change
public opinion concerning the Census, the Bureau has been promoting "partnerships"
with local, state, and tribal governments, as well as national and community
based organizations. In a recent meeting with U.S. Census representatives
and the United Confederation of Taino People
(UCTP), past problems with the Census were acknowledged.
"In
the 1940s, the Census was used to identify Japanese-American populations
for their incarceration in internment camps", stated Ms. Thelma Stiffarm
(Cree/Gros Venture). She also indicated that by Law the U.S. Census Bureau
couldn't share personal information, and individuals reports are kept
for seventy-five years.
Ms.
Carol Kalafatic (Quechua) of the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC)
questions the need to tabulate statistics based on 'Race'. Ms. Kalafatic
states that "participation may even contribute to racist policies by government
officials who could use the statistical to withhold funding or violate
civil rights based on certain minority populations."
Race
and Ethnicity - Any difference?
As
cultural diversity increases, how the U.S. Census
Bureau classifies 'Race and Ethnicity' is a controversial issue, which
has been under growing criticism. The standards used for classification
of federal data on Race and Ethnicity derive from the Office of Management
and Budgets' (OMB) Statistical Directive 15.
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