Washington, DC (NNPA)-The 1990 Census missed
four million people, 1.6 percent of the total population.
"When we looked at the numbers, the undercount
rate was four times higher among African Americans than all other," said
Samuel H. Johnson, Project Director for Census 2000. "The census missed
a total of 1.4 African Americans which was 4.4 percent of the total missed."
A census undercount causes a serous imbalance
in power. According to Florida congresswoman Carrie Meek (D-FL). "If they
don't know that you are there then you don't get your share," she said.
"I will admit that I did not fill our my
census in 1990 because I thought it was a waste of time, said Delaware
resident Ebony Fuller. "The more I see how easy it is and how it effects
money rendered to my community, I am probably one of the first to have
returned my form."
"I do not plan on filling out my census
forms now or ever," said 25-year old Michael Allyn. "I honestly do not
believe that the information will be kept confidential and anyone will
be able to access it like my creditors." the Philadelphia native said.
However, the information taken from the
census will be held confidential. Census-takers are interested in the numbers,
not policing. "We could wind up marginalized if we are undercounted," says
Melanie Campbell, Director of the National Coalition of Black Voter Participation.
"If we are only eight or nine percent of the population, I don't want to
find out."
April 17 is the encouraged deadline for
returning questionnaires, however if it is not completed and returned by
then an enumerator will take the information manually.
"People need to participate in the census
because assistance distributed for local communities through federal programs,
school systems, and community planning depend heavily on the results,"
Lloyd said. "The government is working hard to try to help make communities
better was well."