by Minsuk Kim, Youth Organizer at the Korean Resource Center (Published in the Korea Daily 2-3-10)

The 2010 Census: 10 Minutes, 10 Questions, 10 Years of Benefits for our Korean American Community

Every 10 years, the United States government administers a national census. The United States Census Bureau undertakes the difficult task of counting every individual, regardless of immigration status, living in the 50 states. In addition to simply counting the number of people living in America, the Census also captures demographic data. For example, household size, ethnicity, and sex are three subjects of Census questions.

However, the true significance of the Census is greater than the simple generation of population data. It is necessary to have an understanding of how Census data is used to grasp the importance of participating in the Census. The data gathered by the Census Bureau is the standard for demographic data in the United States. Accordingly, the country’s decision makers consult Census data to apportion Congressional Representatives, to set the political agenda, and to distribute resources to our communities – meaning, when the government allocates money for the building of roads, schools, hospitals, or other infrastructure or services, Census data helps to determine where these resources will go.

Despite the opportunities for increasing political representation and access to resources engendered by Census participation, the Korean American community has traditionally been woefully undercounted. Ten years ago, during the last Census count, 1,228,427 Koreans were recorded as United States residents. The figure is well short of the 2,123,167 Korean American citizens, visa holders, and students calculated by the Korean consulate in 2001. Moreover, the Census identified fewer than 200,000 as living in Los Angeles County whereas the consulate estimates 678,000. The data produced by the Census belie the true size of a community which has come to culturally define 5 square miles of central Los Angeles to the detriment of our community resources. Another undercount is equivalent to ten more years of forgone resources. And this year, in light of lean economic times, our participation in the Census is as urgent as ever.

In order to ensure the full participation of our community in this year’s Census, the Korean Resource Center is organizing an outreach campaign. The campaign will educate community members about the Census, encourage their participation, and assist them with the completion of their forms. However, the outreach effort will not be successful without the service of volunteers. KRC asks all community members – especially high school and college students – interested in volunteering for this effort to contact us immediately.