For years, members of minority groups in America were given
the crumbs that fell from the table and they rightly complained that they were
underrepresented in the halls of power and excluded from having a seat at the
table.
Census 2020 supporters are urging everyone to participate in
the census and let their voices count.
Newly released Census 2020 data shows that as of April 24,
2020, San Mateo County, with a self-response rate of 62.9%, ranks as the number
one county in California, in having the most residents who have submitted their
Census 2020 questionnaire. Even California’s statewide response rate is
54.2%
Two San Mateo County cities, Hillsborough and San Carlos, both with
a response rate of 72.1%, rank among the top 10 cities with the highest
response rates.
Guess which cities in the state have the lowest
response rates. If you guessed that East Palo Alto is among them, then you’re
right. East Palo Alto has a response rate of 47.1%
The city ranks just under Compton at 47.6% under Watsonville
at 49.3 and under Bell, which has a response rate of 45%.
East Palo Alto also ranks under southern states like Alabama
(51.1%) Georgia (49.6), Mississippi (49.4) and Florida (50.8%), which all fall
under the national response rate that is 52.8%. See more rankings at https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html
If the residents of East Palo Alto want to have a seat at
the table, then they will have to participate where their voices can be heard, whenever the opportunity arises. Participating in Census 2020 is one of those
opportunities. If people feel that as a group they are pushed aside by the
system and treated as if they don’t count, then it is critical that they step up, present themselves, demand their seat and pull back the chair
at the table. Census 2020 allows everyone to present themselves and demand a
seat
Doesn’t it make sense, then, for all of us to respond to the
census as quickly as possible? In being counted and in allowing ourselves to be
seen and heard, we can demand our fair representation in the halls of power and get the seats to which we are
entitled. In being counted, our communities will get the money that they
deserve.
So, submit your Census 2020 response now, if you
haven’t already done so. East Palo Alto can be among the cities with the
highest Census 2020 response rates and you
can help make that happen.