Census Effort Was Too Little, Too Late, Too Lackluster

The results of the 1990 census will signify the end of the white majority in Los Angeles County. A new majority will be born: Latino (33%), Asian Pacific (11%) and African American (10%).

Could this be why the Board of Supervisors is not promoting efforts to obtain an accurate count? Within a year, the U.S. Census Bureau will release its population data to state, county and local governments that each will use to redraw its electoral districts. Is the current conservative majority of the board fearful of facing the new majority after so many years of denying it a fair share of political power?

The city has spent nearly $1 million on the census. Why hasn’t the county made an investment of any note for our future?

The U.S. Department of Commerce in general and the Census Bureau in particular have made participation in the count very tough. The paucity of outreach efforts to raise awareness in communities that are traditionally undercounted was tantamount to bad faith on the part of the bureau.

Nonprofit groups in undercounted communities were prevailed upon to spend their own limited resources and raise funds to get the word out about the census. Given the meager resources of such groups, how could a serious and sustained effort be made? Why would the bureau attempt to persuade us of its earnestness and not put resources in place to do the job properly? Unfortunately, the hiring of certain people of color has not made the difference. Too little, too late, too lackluster.

In an act of self-determination, the L.A. Census Outreach Committee, the Los Angeles Young Black Professionals, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Asian Pacific Planning Council Census Committee are working feverishly in their respective communities for a complete and accurate count. We simply wish we had quality leadership from the Census Bureau.