The participation of Latinos in the 2020 Census is essential to see the impact that the community has on the country and to ensure that they have representation in the government.
The information received from the Census allows legislators, businessmen and politicians to better understand the needs of each region, in addition to determining the distribution of federal funds for each state in the US.
Raising your hand and telling yourself is vital to the development of the community and that is well known by Zeferino García, owner of the Oaxaca Expression Restaurant, who asks Latinos to inform themselves and participate in the Census.
"We are very distrustful and more when it comes to government, but if people become aware, participation will be broad and that would be good for all Oaxacans and Latinos in general," said the man from San Francisco Yateé, Oaxaca (Mexico) ).
García has arranged his business to support and promote the Census, since some Sundays he calls and gives information so that diners are informed.
“Here in the United States things are more transparent, there must be more confidence. That's why I invite my countrymen, the people, to participate in the Census and not be afraid … We are sure that the more knowledge the government has about how many we are, the more benefits there can be for our community, ”said Garcia, who has 53 years and since 19 he has owned the restaurant located at 3301 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019.
The employer considers that if Latinos participate, the impact would be very high for the community, since with the information collected in the Census the budget allocated to education, health, transportation and other benefits is distributed every year.
“The Census is the way to know how many Hispanic people live in this area and to know what needs must be met,” García explained.
"For example, paying for a hospital in an emergency is thousands of dollars and if there were no Medi-Cal program for low-income people it would be impossible to receive care, and all those programs work thanks to knowing how many we are."
A big wish
Zeferino García is the father of two girls and cares about his future, so he hopes that this year's count will help create better educational programs and that in the future this measurement will allow him to include a little more of his culture in the school of his little.
“In the school, for example, we would like the classes in Spanish to be mandatory for our children or that in some school courses of Zapotec, Mixteco or Chinanteco could be given, it would even be ideal that within the Census they will ask which of these languages the person, to know how a class of these languages could work within a school, ”he says with the hope that one day that wish will come true.
This leader of the Oaxaca community expects other businesses or entrepreneurs to join this initiative and use their voice to promote participation.
In addition, García proposes that social networks become a means of dissemination so that people know how to fill out the questionnaire.
"I would like that through social networks we all promote the Census on Facebook or Instagram, because people are very aware of these platforms, so that's where we have to put more information."
Free talks on the mobile Cake
Informing and responding to customer questions has become as important to Luis Morán as quenching his appetite with his juicy cakes.
The 23-year-old and co-owner of Torta Móvil acknowledges that he is concerned that Latinos are well informed about the 2020 Census and that is why he has dedicated much of his time in recent months to educate about this event.
“I researched a little and discovered that more than 38% of our population did not fill it out last time, so I liked to help people and give them the information, because I do know the importance and I know that as a resident it is my responsibility… I do not it costs nothing to pass a flyer and promote the Census, it is something very easy and useful to help the community, ”said the businessman.
Moran went further, he realized that people did not take a flyer when they visited his business in south central Los Angeles, so he decided to organize small clinics to educate Latinos on the subject.
“I realized that many people did not grab a flyer and my employees were too busy to deliver them, so I organized with friends and volunteers and now we spend an hour and a half to deliver the material, we ask if they know how the Census works and if not, We give them the information and explain the importance of sharing this information with our family members, ”said the young man, who added that these talks are held every two weeks.
This Sunday, January 19 from 1:00 p.m. In the Mobile Cake located at the intersection of 27th and San Pedro streets, he distributed material and answered questions so that people know the benefits of participating.
“There is still that fear in our community and it is normal, so what I do is that I explain well the information that they are going to ask for and what not; I also tell you the importance of doing it to benefit our children, hospitals and many other things, ”said Luis.
"If we are all educated and join together we will have better resources for the next 10 years, then it is time to act."
With the fixed objective in which the largest number of Latinos participate, Luis is also part of the non-profit organization ReadyNation for which he designs material and tries to contact small businesses to promote and educate the community about the Census.
"If a business is interested in promoting the census and obtaining material, this organization has funds to provide these resources for free," he said.
If you have a business and want to promote the Census, write to Luis Morán at: lamoran@readynation.org
