Through the decades, underrepresented groups have viewed the U.S. Census with apprehension, suspicious of the potential abuse of their information. But now, in a recent movement for greater representation in a declining economy, the Census Bureau is making great strides to prove itself to the Latino community through education and outreach. But the litmus test for the effectiveness of this campaign is participation—here, in the Mission District.
Census data is used each year to ensure the equitable allocation of $400 billion in federal funding. The data also informs local initiatives, including the justification for after-school programming. On a local level, an undercount means less funding for important programs that serve youth.
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Alma Herrera-Pazmiño grew up in San Francisco’s Mission district and began taking drumming classes with Loco Bloco in 2000. Established in 1994 when California budget cuts to education resulted in a reduced number of artistic outlets in the classroom, community youth workers created Loco Bloco as a way to provide low-income families of color with access to professional-level arts education at no cost. The program uses arts as a tool to empowerment of youth of color and encourages them to contribute positively to their communities.
Since then, the program has provided more than 6,000 youth and their families with a creative outlet to empower themselves through leadership and community building. With members ranging from three-years-old to high school age, they teach music, dance and theater traditions reflecting the cultural diversity of the Americas. Annually, they cater to approximately 600 youth in their after school programs, at various schools and community centers.
One of the ways that Census data is used is to establish the need for afterschool programs such as Loco Bloco.
In regards to the census, Herrera-Pazmiño stated, “I can understand why [people] of color would be scared, but these numbers [from the past] just didn’t seem right. We’re not the minority!”
“Progams like Loco Bloco, Head Start, and the Mission Rec Center, are very important, and we need to count all of us, or we’ll lose the funding,” she added.
Like many people, Herrera-Pazmiño knew little about the U.S. Census, which is taken every 10 years. “There was not enough information to see if it was safe,” she remembered. “But after taking a class, I did a lot of research and it seemed perfectly legitimate.”
Hoping to spread the message around, she emphasized that federal law ensures that all the information gathered remains absolutely confidential.
She believes, that by not participating in Census and, as a result, having lower numbers of youth being reported than what actually exists, it makes it easier for government to ignore the country’s ethnic diversity. As a result “we will not be represented “ said Herrera-Pazmiño.
Herrera-Pazmiño says that Loco Bloco uses its programs to act as a catalyst to help youth overcome discrimination and bring about change in their communities.
“But we cannot start to affect change in our community without first acknowledging the whole community, including the undocumented. The Census is safe and is a way for all of us to help the community,” she added.