FREE ESSAY ON ASIANS AND CENSUS 2000

ASIANS AND CENSUS 2000

There are numerous reasons why full participation is in the Census 2000 is important to
the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The estimated undercount of the
Asian Pacific Islander community in 1990 was 2.3%. Because census data is the basis for
almost all demographic information used by policy makers, educators, and community
leaders, undercounted communities miss out on their fair share of federal funding for
services, adequate governmental representation, and enforcement of civil rights laws that
prevent discrimination. An undercount prevents government and other agencies from
planning for and implementing culturally and linguistically appropriate services for the
Asian Pacific Islander community. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Unfortunately, the Asian Pacific Islander community is at risk for a high undercount in
the upcoming census. Undercounts tend to be high in communities in which there are
language barriers, resistance to outsiders, suspicion of government, disbelief of census
confidentiality, non-traditional household living arrangements, irregular housing, large
numbers of children, large proportions of renters, and among people or families who are
highly mobile. (U.S. Census Bureau)
One important reason for full participation by Asian American and Pacific Islander
communities is the need for adequate governmental representation. Reapportionment occurs
after every census, which is when political districts are reconfigured to reflect changes
in the population. When Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are not counted, they are
not assigned the correct number of representatives. It is important that they have a
voice in the government. There is a need for political empowerment among the Asian
American and Pacific Islander communities, and that can happen only when there is
accurate representation, which is the result of an accurate census count. 
Another important reason for the full participation of Asian American and Pacific
Islander communities is the need for community funding. Hundreds of billions of dollars
in federal, state, and county funding are allocated each year on the basis of census
information. This money is used to support schools, employment services, housing
assistance, hospital services, programs for the elderly and disabled, child care,
substance abuse prevention, battered woman's shelters, and transportation. If there is
not an accurate count, the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities will lose out
on millions of dollars for community funding. 
Census information is also used to identify areas that require assistance in languages
other than English. For example, it is used to determine whether bilingual material is
needed during elections. It also helps government agencies serve the needs of limited
English proficient people in education, health care, police and emergency services. This
is very important for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that speak a language other
than English, especially in terms of bilingual voting documents, which allow them to
participate in the political process.
Fortunately, many efforts are being made to ensure that Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders are not undercounted in the next census. An Asian Pacific Islander Census 2000
Task Force was formed to organize community education around Census 2000. Community
education materials are being translated into the numerous Asian Pacific Islander
languages. Bilingual enumerators are being recruited to reach out to non-responding
households. These proactive measures will help ensure a more accurate count for Census
2000, which will greatly benefit the Asian American and Asian Pacific Islander
communities.