Completing 2010 Census form important and could help WSSU get funds

 In 2009 we helped make a change by electing Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Obama brought forth several bills and proposals to better the U.S. financially. 

The health care bill, the new American Opportunity Tax Credit [which will pay for the first $4,000 of college and help toward entire tuition in exchange for 100 hours of community service], and the textbook aid credit plan are just a few of the changes.

Although this makes excellent progression, we still need to remain cognizant of what is taking place, and we still have work to do. 

One of the main tools that can bring forth change needs to be changed itself: the 2010 census.

Each decade, a census is recorded. Ten years have passed and all aspects of finance, economy, health care, education, government, etc have all changed in some way.

The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds for things such as hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges, tunnels and other public works projects, and emergency services.    

The data collected by the census also helps determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The 2010 Census aims to count all U.S. residents — citizens and non-citizens alike. To do so, the Census Bureau delivers a short 10-question form to every household in America and requires that you fill in the form to account for everyone living at your address as of April 1, 2010.

The 2010 Census has brought commotion in the black community. 

On the form, one of the options for our race is "Negro." 

This word has not been acceptable since the 1960s during the civil rights movement, when it was considered a racial slur. There has been no effort to change it.

It is sad that this word is still being used in 2010 to represent our race. We are not being correctly acknowledged in one of the most important polls. 

  We are expected to help note significant information to be formed into a statistic for America, yet we are not being acknowledged as an African American. Instead we are still being viewed as "Negroes." Change is needed.

We should not allow this to hinder us from getting our voices heard. The recession has also initiated and effected change in the United States. 

The 2010 Census can once again help us voice the reality of our economy as a whole and also assist us in the forthcoming decade. This includes Winston-Salem State University. 

If you have not already completed the census form, please do so. If you live on campus, 601 S. Martin Luther King Drive is considered your permanent address, as you will be living here in April when the census is recorded. 

Your completed form will help our school get additional much-needed funds.