2020 Census: Everyone Counts!
Every month, Third Thursdays focuses on a different issue that is generally linked to legislation, issue advocacy, citizen activism and/or civic engagement. This month, the subject was the 2020 Census, and how we make sure everyone counts!
Due to COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, this was our first virtual event. We had really excellent attendance and thank everyone who was able to make it at this turbulent time.
2020 Census letters have already been sent out and people should be filling in their forms, so this was a great time to have the event, particularly in view of the change of approach to census work necessary with the new corona virus reality we are now in.
Watch the video and learn how to Get Out The Count in Minnesota!
The goals of the event:
to educate people around the census - what it is, why it matters, the time line of both the roll out and efforts to get a full count. And, now, how the pandemic is impacting the census and work around it.
to educate people around the issue of historically undercounted communities, and the efforts underway by different groups to make sure these communities are counted.
to encourage/activate people to help Get Out the Count to make sure everyone is counted - via opportunities to volunteer, ideas how to spread the word, etc. And also to take action to get legislation passed that will support full counts and counting Minnesotans in a way that benefits the communities that they come from.
learn about how the coronavirus pandemic is changing how we address these goals.
The Census is important for three primary reasons: access to future federal funding, political representation (making sure every community has a voice), and future plans at local, state and national levels. Our speakers: Andrew Virden with State Demographic Center, Monica Hurtado with Voices for Racial Justice, Hannah Buckland with MDE State Library Services, Jeffrey Her with Asian American Organizing Project.
Andrew Virden’s slide presentation gives a great overview of how MN is making sure every Minnesotan is counted.
Hannah Buckland’s slide presentation details how libraries are working hard in remote areas and under counted communities to Get Out the Count and provide safe spaces in which people can complete the census.
Monica Hurtado spoke about prison gerrymandering. To find out more about this important subject, see this page from Voices for Racial Justice.
Map of historically undercounted communities in the Twin Cities metro from Jeffrey Her
Volunteer to Get Out The Count
To support the GOTC work of the Asian American Organizing Project, please email Jeffrey Her.
COPAL MN is doing important work to Get Out the Count in the MN Latinx community. Contact them for more details.
Email Andrew to become part of Cuenta Conmigo’s efforts to Get Out the Count!
Other useful resources:
Blandin Census resources - smartphone-friendly census access
On phone access to Census in English 844-330-2020
There were a lot of great questions on Thursday night - and a lot of great answers. One question that didn’t get answered was, “I'm working on a playlist for Census Day (April 1, 2020). Anyone have any ideas for fun Census songs?” Here’s what we found! Any ideas? Send them to us, and we’ll make sure they get to the person who asked the question.
Lastly, a special notice about the Black Dog Cafe, which normally hosts Third Thursdays. Like all restaurants, bars, cafes, etc., their business is hurting right now. They have started a GoFundMe initiative. Please consider donating to help them through this very difficult time.
Idea: take a fun picture of yourself as you open your census letter or fill in your census form, and share it far and wide - including on our Facebook and Twitter feeds. Be sure to #hashtag it- #MN2020Census, #Everyonecounts!
Save the date for the next Third Thursdays - April 16th. More details to come.