OPINION
Participation is Power
Being counted helps our communities receive a fair portion of federal funds BY IMAM TALIB SHAREEF
W
e are living at a critical moment, and the stakes for many in our community have never been higher. In many ways, 2020 will determine where this country is headed for the foreseeable future. Each of us has the power and the responsibility to make an impact. Starting with the census, 2020 will be an important year for our increased civic participation. In March, all households in the U.S. received a mailed invitation to respond to the 2020 Census either online, by phone or by mail. Many people may have disregarded it as yet another piece of spam mail. Don’t do this, because not only is it stated on the envelope that “Your response is required by law,” but filling it out and returning it is both relevant and essential to ensuring that you are included. Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a constitutionally mandated count of every person living in the country. Regardless of where they are from, why they are here and their immigration status, including temporary workers, international students and workers on assignment from overseas, everyone is counted. Again, I repeat, the census is a count of people, not 38 ISLAMIC HORIZONS MAY/JUNE 2020
a count of citizens, and no citizenship question will be asked. What many people may not realize is that their participation translates into our communities receiving the resources and representation they need and deserve. An estimated $675 billion a year in federal funding for the next 10 years is on the line.
WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THE CENSUS IS IN THE CONSTITUTION BECAUSE THIS COUNTRY BELONGS TO US, THE PEOPLE, AND NOT TO WHOEVER IS IN POWER AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT OR TO SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS.
The census determines how this money will be allocated to states and communities for housing, roads, food assistance, health care and other vital social services annually, as well as for such critical public services as schools and healthcare facilities, police, fire and emergency services. In addition, the 2020 Census will determine congressional seats and state legislative redistricting, local school district boundaries, school board members and every level of political power. States that grow rapidly can gain congressional seats, while those that fail to keep pace can lose seats. Businesses will also use this demographic data to plan new investments and create jobs across the county. As you can see, money and political power are at stake. The data also helps us understand and research our own communities better. If we have accurate data, we can calculate what percentage of them may be impacted by certain diseases or health issues. In short, we need a denominator, a number by which we can divide. This information will empower us to apply for federal funding to help address the challenges that all communities face. As the census rolls out over the next few months, you will continue to see community leaders, advocacy organizations, nonprofits and religious leaders like myself encourage all of their members to participate. Since there is a concern that adequate funds have not been allocated to reach the hardest-to-count populations, such as people living in rural communities, children, people of color, immigrants and so on, it is even more critical for community leaders and organizations to educate their members about the census and encourage them to participate. Ultimately, this is because we believe that participation is power. The numbers matter. Participating gives us a true picture of the country, our voices are heard and those in authority pay attention to our interests. We need to remember that the census is in the constitution because this country belongs to us, the people, and not to whoever is in power at any given moment or to special interest groups. This is the time for all of us to stake a claim: This is our country! This is the time to stand up and take part — together. Participation is power. ih Imam Talib Shareef, president and imam of the historic Masjid Muhammad, The Nation’s Mosque in Washington, D.C., is chairman of the Interfaith Conference.
