My whole life I have struggled with the question of which box to check. I was born in Mexico to a Mexican father and an American mother, and grew up in Michigan. I am a dual citizen and an immigrant to the United States, yet I have an ancestor who came to the U.S. on the Mayflower.

Seriously.

So the truth is, there is no box to check that accurately describes my identity. But over the course of my life I have been forced to choose a box to describe my ethnic makeup. And when faced with the choice of the ‘Latino’ box versus the ‘White’ box, I have always chosen the ‘Latino’ box. Despite the fact that my mother is not technically Latina, I am as proud a Mexican as you will ever meet.

The other reason I self-identify as Latina is political. Ours is the fastest-growing group in the United States, and we have limitless potential for making ours some of the most powerful voices in the country. Yet terrible things are said about Latinos, and especially about immigrant Latinos.

It is said that we don’t graduate high school. That we get involved in crime and drain public resources. And while there are some sad statistics about high school drop-out rates and poverty rates among U.S. Latinos, this is an incomplete portrait of the Latino community. And this portrait does not reflect me.

I am getting a graduate degree. I am politically active and give back to the community. And on the 2010 census form, I will  – as I have many times before – check the ‘Latino’ box because I want the government to know that Latinos are doing great things.

So while being lumped into a single category does not capture the diversity of our backgrounds, and much less our experiences, we can use this lumping to our advantage.

There is power in numbers, and numbers we have.

This spring, let’s use our power in numbers to secure better access to education and to health, housing and transportation services. Let’s send a message to the government that we are here, that we contribute to the strength of this nation, and that we deserve our share of the nation’s resources.

Amanda M. from Michigan

Latinos, Public Policy, Public Opinion and the Census

There’s a constant debate in political circles and the media on the relationship between public opinion research and public policy.  Some policy-makers, such as many in the former Bush administration, view polls as merely a reflection of what a persuadable electorate feels about certain issues and adjust their communication strategies accordingly.  Meanwhile, others, such as President Clinton did in the 1990s, rely heavily on public opinion research to guide their policy-making.  Regardless of persuasion, what is clear is that polling has a considerable impact both on our politics and public policy.

There are few better examples of the significance of survey research on the electorate than in the Latino community.  Until the 1990s, few, if any, firms studied this emerging voting bloc.  Undoubtedly, the pioneer of Hispanic public opinion research was Sergio Bendixen, on the pre-eminent pollsters in the country.  Bendixen, who is of Peruvian descent, discovered through focus groups and survey data that while Latinos were affected and concerned by the same major issues – the economy, healthcare, national security – as other Americans, they had different priorities.  Latinos  think in terms of a large family nucleus and prioritize leisure activities.

The Clinton Administration fundamentally understood the significance of this research and adjusted public policy accordingly.  The Clinton jobs and housing programs were not specifically designed for Latinos.  However, the manner in which the legislation was communicated to Hispanic Americans was different in that it adopted key language from Clinton’s political teams discovered in public opinion research.  Like Bendixen, the Clinton team discovered that messages focusing on family and opportunity resonated with the Latino community.  This paid off for Clinton, as he was re-elected with 72 percent of the Hispanic vote.  Clinton’s policies paid off for Latinos, too.  Unemployment for Hispanics fell from 11.8 percent in October 1992 to 5.0 percent in 2000–the lowest rate on record.

Today, Latinos  have a historic opportunity to shape public policy and their representation through another form of public opinion research: the US Census.  The census is the surest way for Latinos to achieve greater political representation and benefit from federal programs that directly affect immigrants and their families. It determines apportionment of congressional seats and the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal aid.

While members of Congress and other politicians use polling data differently, the one thing they all pay attention to is how their districts are drawn and a shifting electorate.  After the 2008 election, where Democrats won the presidency mainly as a result of the Latino vote, most Republican legislators were cautious in their criticisms of Justice Sonia Sotomayor so as to not offend this deciding voting bloc.  Accordingly, one can expect the upcoming immigration reform debate to take on a very different tone than it had in 2006-2007.

To put it simply: Latinos now have a seat at the public policy table – and the only way they’ll have more chairs and have their voices heard is by filling out a simple form.  Be counted.

Giancarlo Sopo is a Democratic Strategist.

When I left Miami for college several years ago, I had a simplistic understanding of the politics of Miami’s exile community—a single, overwhelmingly conservative monolithic voice denouncing any engagement with Cuba.  Granted, as the daughter of Cuban exiles, most of this dialogue was heard in my own home, from my friends’ parents, and at the local Granada grocery store. But it was also apparent on the radio waves, the evening news, and our Sunday edition of El Nuevo Herald.

Upon returning to Miami a few years ago, I could sense the winds shifting. The conversations were sporadic at first, but those with differing opinions—mostly younger generations and recent immigrants—were speaking out and engaging in dialogue that raised important questions about how our community is to be defined, or more importantly, if we were beyond the point of classification.

This transition in my own community is arguably a symptom of larger changes taking place across South Florida. What does this have to do with the Census, you ask? Plenty. Regardless of which political party you identify with (I’ve been voting for years and I still can’t decide), I’m sure we can all agree that a state’s legislature should directly reflect the interests of its constituents.

With this year’s decennial census and 2010 elections, it has never been a more important time for Floridians to make their voices heard and their presence counted. Why? Because Florida, like every other state in the union, will be redistricted with the data gleaned from the 2010 Census.

By participating in the census, we can all make sure we are represented in the data that is provided to our state in order to redistrict appropriately. But that’s just the first step, because it is the state legislature that is responsible for the act of redistricting.

Historically, we have seen a continued problem with gerrymandering in Florida and Texas—both states with large Latino populations.  These strategies of “packing” and “cracking” that political parties have systematically practiced in the past when drawing districts inarguably corrupts our representative democracy.
Now—by filling out the census form and voting in November—we may have a chance to change that.
Two new identical amendments—one for U.S. Congressional districts and the other for Florida legislative seats—will soon ask Floridians to approve three new criteria to the current redistricting requirements that would severely hinder the legislature’s ability to gerrymander districts.

In participating in the Census, Floridians can make districts more reflective of the actual population and, for the first time in history, select their representatives as opposed to having representatives select their voters. Such an opportunity cannot be passed up, regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum.

Did you know that the U.S. Census Bureau has tens of thousands of temporary jobs available? And that they pay well? And that they’re probably hiring in your neighborhood?

Well, they are! And they really need bilingual workers like you.

Census Takers, or enumerators, help ensure an accurate count by following up in person with households that either didn’t turn in their form or didn’t fill it out completely. Since you know your own city better than anyone else, the Bureau likes to hire local. They want you, not someone from outside the area, to help your neighbors fill out their forms.

Andale – help your community out! What could be better than helping Latinos by walking the streets of your own ‘hood while earning up to $20 dollars an hour?

Here’s how you apply: find your local Census office by clicking here, or call 1-866-861-2010.

VIDEO: Fraud Awareness Alert

The video on Fraud Awareness Alert informs the public about possible fraudulent solicitations, both online and in person, and educates them on how to protect themselves.

English

2010 Multimedia Center: http://2010.census.gov/mediacenter/spread-message/protecting-your-data/fraud-alert.php

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIYBinDjLUY

Spanish

2010 Multimedia Center: http://2010.census.gov/multimedia/video/protegiendo-sus-infomacion/alerta-de-fraude.php

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrj8jdUDVTo

VIDEO: Real People, Real Questions

The videos below are a selection of videos available at our Multimedia Center at http://2010.census.gov/mediacenter/real-questions/index.php?v,n15.

How do I get a replacement form?

2010 MMC: http://2010.census.gov/mediacenter/real-questions/rprq-replacement-form.php

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITumy9MxOHE

Can I fill out my form online?

2010 MMC: http://2010.census.gov/mediacenter/real-questions/rprq-onlineform.php

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyvr5HeHg_k

Why does the form ask about my race?

2010 MMC: http://2010.census.gov/mediacenter/real-questions/rprq-race.php

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NUhe1liPXc

Hello, my name is Derek Sanchez. I am 16 and currently live in West Texas, where I attend high school and play soccer. Soccer has taken me many places throughout the world and has brought me much success. It actually put me on board with the Under-15 U.S Boys National Team. So, I have been lucky and blessed to be a part of such prestigious events.

I believe the census is important because it provides funding for public schools. The high school I attend is in dire need for some repairs, and I know for a fact that the census would fund public schools such as mine. Education is very important to me and I believe it should be a priority.

The census is also important because it affects how many seats in the House of Representatives our state will occupy. I know when I become of age to vote, I’ll want to be sure we’re represented politically. Politics is really important and I can’t wait untiI I can actually have a say in it.

It is very important that everyone in the United States gets counted. Getting an accurate count can benefit our government and help communities such as mine receive better funding in services in our infrastructure. Today I’m pledging to take the census not only because it’s important, but also because Pitbull is awesome and I love the sountrack!

-Derek S. from West Texas

Join Voto Latino as we celebrate the Silicon Valley Be Counted, Represent campaign with a FREE concert by LOS RAKAS, BANG DATA, and MEXIA at The Palladium on Saturday, June 12th (7pm sharp)!

In filling out the Census, Voto Latino’s S.V. members brought in almost 30 million dollars of federal resources to Latino neighborhoods. You hooked up your comunidad, so Voto Latino is hooking you up with a concert.

If you’ve already texted ‘SV’ into 738674, you’re already in. If not, text now to get in! You’ll also get the chance to win an EXCLUSIVE Voto Latino Epiphone Les Paul Special II.

RSVP on Facebook!

Come out to hear:
Music by:
LOS RAKAS
Plena, Reggae & Latin Hip-Hop from Panama
http://www.losrakas.com/

BANG DATA
Latin Alternative/Hip Hop Rock with members of Orixa & Flipsyde
http://www.myspace.com/bangdata

MEXIA
Latin Hip-Hop w/Club Beats
http://www.mexiamusic.com/

Spoken Word by:
Matt Blesse
Asian-American Grand Slam Poet Champion

Christsna Sot
Youth Speaks slam finalist

Hosted by:
ERICK MORALES
La Kalle/Univision Radio

So que esperas, get texting! Send ‘SV’ to 738674, get your friends to do the same, and represent!

Sorry, but there was a problem registering your phone number, please try again.

Phone Number

You should receive a text shortly!

Watch PSA #2 Scroll down or Click here
Watch PSA # 3 Scroll down or Click here

The Census: a Conversation PSA # 1

Starting: Rosario Dawson, Wilmer Valderrama, Demi Lovato, Luis Guzman, Ana Ortiz, Jorge Garcia,
Malverde, Graciela Beltran and Uncle Gustavo.

Don’t forget to take our Census Pledge and get 25 FREE Songs from Voto Latino on iTunes!

The Census: a Conversation PSA # 2

Starting: Rosario Dawson, Wilmer Valderrama, Demi Lovato, Luis Guzman, Ana Ortiz, Jorge Garcia,
Malverde, Graciela Beltran and Uncle Gustavo.

Don’t forget to take our Census Pledge and get 25 FREE Songs from Voto Latino on iTunes!

The Census: a Conversation PSA # 3

Starting: Rosario Dawson, Wilmer Valderrama, Demi Lovato, Luis Guzman, Ana Ortiz, Jorge Garcia,
Malverde, Graciela Beltran and Uncle Gustavo.

Don’t forget to take our Census Pledge and get 25 FREE Songs from Voto Latino on iTunes!

Join Voto Latino as we celebrate the Los Angeles Be Counted, Represent campaign with a FREE concert by Akwid and Clorofila of Nortec Collective at The Echo on Saturday, May 8th (6pm sharp)!

In filling out the Census, Voto Latino’s L.A. members brought in almost 30 million dollars of federal resources to Latino neighborhoods. You hooked up your comunidad, so Voto Latino is hooking you up with a concert.

If you’ve already texted ‘LA’ into 738674, you’re already in. If not, enter your number below now to get in!

Come out to hear:

Akwid, LA’s original banda hip hop duo
http://www.myspace.com/akwid

Clorofila of Nortec Collective, recently featured on KCRW
http://www.myspace.com/clorofilanortecollective

Both Akwid and Clorofila will present tracks from their new, L.A.-inspired albums, California and Corridos Urbanos.