Iranian American 2010 Census Coalition Mobilizes
The 2010 United States Census (the “Census”) provides the Iranian community in the United States the opportunity to not only stand up and be counted, but to ensure that future generations are economically and politically empowered.
Mandated by the United States Constitution, the Census is an official count of everyone residing in the United States that occurs every 10 years and includes people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups regardless of citizenship status. The Census is used as a benchmark for businesses, professional organizations, and government officials in determining how social services are allocated, the influence of a minority community, and funding for critical community programs. According to the 2000 Census, only 338,000 individuals were classified as Iranian Americans while the actual number is believed to be at least two or three times larger. The Iranian American 2010 Census Coalition is taking a proactive role to ensure that our community’s statistics are accurately reflected and that it has access to key services and an enhanced political voice.
Participation in the Census is completely confidential and protected by law. Census forms are scheduled to be mailed to all households in February and March and should be returned on April1, 2010. With the release of a joint pamphlet, the Iranian American 2010 Census Coalition is working to assist you in filling out the Census application in order to accurately represent yourself as an Iranian American or Iranian in the United States. Because the Census forms have no options for marking one self as an “Iranian” it is important that when answering Question 9 of the Census short form concerning race that you checkmark “some other race” and print “Iranian” or “Iranian American” beneath it. Though it may seem simple, answering Question 9 uniformly is essential to being properly recognized as an Iranian and toward contributing to our increased influence and recognition in American society.
By uniting and mobilizing for the 2010 Census, the Iranian American community will achieve greater prominence while also gaining a better understanding of its unique needs.
Stand Up and Be Counted
The Iranian American 2010 Census Coalition includes a number of national and regional organizations: Bay Area Iranian-American Voter Association (Baivoter), Farhang Foundation, Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB), Iranian American Bar Association (IABA), Iranian Psychological Association of America (IPAA), National Iranian American Council (NIAC), Network of Iranian American Professionals of Orange County (NIPOC), PARSA Community Foundation, Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), Shabeh Jomeh, and the U.S. Census Bureau. The specific goals of this project are to reach every Iranian American household in the country to educate them about the importance of participating in the 2010 Census, to assure them that the information provided to the Census Bureau will by law be confidential, and to urge them to respond to questions relating to race, ethnicity, and national origin in a consistent manner.
For more information or to join the Iranian American 2010 Census Project please contact any of the coalition partners.
Bay Area Iranian-American Voter Association (BAIVOTER)
http://www.baivoter.org/
Farhang Foundation
http://www.farhang.org/
Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB)
http://www.iranianalliances.org/
Iranian American Bar Association (IABA)
http://www.iaba.us
Iranian Psychological Association of America (IPAA)
http://www.myipaa.org/
National Iranian American Council (NIAC)
http://www.niacouncil.org/
Network of Iranian American Professionals of Orange County (NIPOC)
http://www.nipoc.org/
PARSA Community Foundation
http://www.parsacf.org/
Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PARSA)
http://www.paaia.org/
Shabeh Jomeh
http://www.shabehjomeh.com/ |
