Update from AAI on the 2010 Census 

2010 Census in the News

Helen Samhan wrote an op-ed published online last week in the Detroit Free Press that addresses how Arab Americans fit into the Census and why we should participate in the 2010 count. The op-ed discusses some of the questions and misinformation that has been circulating about the Census race categories. Additionally, it serves as a reminder that an accurate count is required to reapportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to distribute more than $400 billion each year in federal funds back to state and local governments. Information from the census is used to determine where to fund infrastructure projects such as roads, hospitals and schools. For further information about the impact that the Census has on your local community, please click here.

Where will we get Arab Ancestry Data from?

Helen's op-ed does address the question of measuring ancestry (including Arab), but you can go to our website for more information on this issue. While the Census Bureau was not able to include an Ancestry question on the 2010 Census, we have encouraged further research for changes in 2020. In the meantime, remember that the American Community Survey (ACS) continuously collects socio economic information on the American population, including ancestry, for all race groups. The Arab American Institute's Census Information Center will continue to compile data on Arab Americans from the ACS in the coming months and years to stay abreast of demographic shifts in our community.

Census In Schools Program

The Census in Schools program is designed to help educate school-aged children about the census so that they can deliver census messages to their families. The 2010 program - "2010 Census-It's About Us," will kick off in fall 2009. Teachers will have the option of weaving the census into lesson plans and many will devote an entire week to the study of the census. Visit the Census in Schools web site to learn about how the Census is outreaching to teachers, kids, and teens.

News from Partnership Specialists in the Field

Census Partnership Specialists are working with our community in a number of regions across the county. Rashad al-Dabbagh in Los Angeles is forming two Complete Count Committees in his region; Nahla Kayali, Executive Director of ACCESS-California Services, was just nominated to one of them by Governor Schwarzenegger. Rashad has also been focusing on combating Census misinformation by contacting local media. To see his article and others, please see our 2010 Census in the Press page. Valerie Smith, a Partnership Specialist in Detroit, has been reaching out to the community at a number of festivals held at churches, mosques and community centers in her region, as well as pursuing partnerships with faith-, service- and community-based organizations. If your group is hosting a festival in the coming months, or if you want to partner with the Census Bureau in the Detroit Region, please contact Valerie. Nesreen Khashan in the Phillidelphia region is looking for members of the Arab American community who are interested in joining a Complete Count Committee in her area. Please email her if you are interested.

Paid Media and the 2010 Census

The 2010 Census paid media campaign will be one of the broadest and far-reaching communications efforts undertaken by the U.S. Government. It will include advertising in 28 languages and will use television, radio, print and digital media across the nation. The paid media campaign is part of an overall integrated campaign that includes partnerships, web sites, a Census in Schools program and earned media. All media vendors and properties have a fair opportunity to submit their company for consideration for the paid media campaign. If you are a vendor and would like to participate, please read this important information and begin the process by filling out the questionnaire at the bottom of the web page.

Census partners and advocates can also be involved in Census media outreach. AAI is coordinating Arab American PSA messages for placement in early 2010 to help reach the Arab American market; we will work with Arab American organizations and media outlets to implement this campaign. Meanwhile, if you would like to do media outreach in your community, ask your regional census center how you can help. Remember, as a trusted member of your community, you can help make a difference in 2010.