State Representative Geraldine F. Thompson (D-Orlando), along with members of the League of Women Voters and the Delta Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., hosted a Census 2010 Town Hall meeting on March 6 at the Dr. James R. Smith Center, in Orlando.
The meeting highlighted the importance of the 2010 Census and emphasized that approximately $400 billion will be divided among the states by the Federal Government based on each state’s population. Invited guest speakers stressed that unless everyone in Florida is counted, the state may not receive its share of funds, which support services for senior citizens, education, job training and other programs.
The Rev. Randolph Bracy, president of the Orange County Branch of the NAACP, indicated that Census data is confidential and is not shared with any other agencies, such as law enforcement or immigration.
Representative Thompson, a historian, explained how during the first Census, which was taken in 1790, people of African descent were each counted as only 3/5 of a human being. Of course, today the story is quite different. Because African Americans are equal to others in America, Representative Thompson said “African Americans need to make sure that everyone is counted.”
Carol Davis, president of the Delta Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., explained how Census data is used in the preparation of textbooks which today reflect the diversity of the population of America, rather than the homogenous image they used in days past. Ms. Davis said she, along with members of the sorority and others, are dedicated to getting a complete count.
Representatives from the League of Women Voters explained reapportionment and redistricting issues, and how Census data is used to determine how many members Florida should have in the United States Congress and in the Florida Legislature.
Residents will start receiving their Census forms by mid-March and must complete and return the 10-question forms by no later than April 1. Those who neglect to return the forms will be visited by Census employees, who are tasked with making sure all forms are completed by July 2010.
