OP EDITORIAL
HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
Commemorating our past, starts with cementing our present-day legacy By Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP
Harlem Community Newspapers | February 13. 2020
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power than uplifting societies most
for conducting the 2020 Census
e find ourselves at
vulnerable, we must take every
after the district court erroneously
the beginning of a
step to protect our households and
Histo-
communities. In 2020, preserving
dismissed it. This ruling will help
new
ry Month (BHM) in a distinctive
our democracy starts with being
decade during one of the most
counted and voting in the presi-
polarizing times of our lives. Our
dential primary. At the least, these
collective journey to this moment
two activities send a message that
Black
aid efforts to ensure that the 2020 Census properly counts all people, including historically undercounted communities of color, who are at risk of being missed under the
has undoubtedly been challenging.
data collected is used to determine
we are paying attention and are ac-
Still, we’ve been victorious on
representation in the United States
tively involved in the trajectory of
many fronts to advance our cul-
Congress and planning for the fu-
this nation. Further, it allows us to
ture, agendas, and narrative on a
ture of all communities across the
wield political and social power in
national platform.
country. $882 billion will be allo-
a system that historically has shut
As we come off the heels of
cated annually in federal funds to
us out. 2020 is the first year that the
celebrating the legacy of Dr. Mar-
state, local, and tribal governments.
Census will be online.
tin Luther King, Jr., a man who
Programs and services at risk in-
The obstacles put in place by
Martin, nor did the fight. It is ev-
died for acting on his convictions
clude schools, hospitals, commu-
those that wish to see us disen-
ery one of our responsibilities to
of an equal America, we enter into
nity centers, roads, transportation,
franchised – from the Census to
bring about the change we wish
a critical season of ensuring our
and public safety departments.
the ballot box – only prolong the
to see. Each day, fueled by our
vote and voice count. As a people,
Marginalized communities will
inevitable changing tide and senti-
suffer if residents go uncounted.
ment of this country. We, the peo-
supporters, we at the NAACP are
not long separated from the bondage of slavery, we were once only
All communities must participate,
ple, have the power and ability to
counted as 3/5 of a person. Without
but specifically, communities of
create the change we want to see.
question, the lingering effects of
color, as our neighborhoods are
It starts with becoming civically
being valued as less than a whole
often the most overlooked. Our
engaged and demanding those in
person still exist today through
interest, as a people and culture, is
power act in our interest by cre-
racist ideologies, discriminatory
tied directly to being counted in the
ating policies that bring about fair
politics, and inequitable policies.
2020 Census. It would be a disser-
and equal access to the ballot box
Combating these ills begins
vice to our neighborhood and our
and beyond.
with ensuring we fully engage
children if we opted to not engage
without pause in the 2020 Census,
in the 2020 Census.
In December of last year, the NAACP, along with other plain-
Census Bureau’s current plans. This month is not only about commemorating our history but cementing and shaping our present-day legacy for future generations. The dream didn’t die with
Vol. 25, No 7 February 13, 2020
working to make the modern-day civil rights movement possible, carrying on the vision of those that came before and creating space for generations that are to come. Together, people of color can move to the forefront and ensure we are counted and heard. If you wish to volunteer with us and help get the word out about the Census, sign up
which starts on April 1, 2020. The
At a time when our rights, ex-
tiffs, won a critical appeals court
here. The 2020 Census is the first
Census is a cornerstone of Amer-
plicitly voting rights, are under at-
ruling, which reinstated our fed-
year that the form will be able to be
ican democracy, which is built on
tack, and public officials are more
eral suit challenging the federal
completed online. Visit 2020cen-
the backs of our ancestors. The
concerned about remaining in
government’s inadequate plans
sus.gov to find out more.
subscription information page 22
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