You’ve got two weeks left to get counted in the Census — for the sake of American justice

There is still time to be counted. But time is running out.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s deadline is Sept. 30 to submit census data. The time is now for everyone to be counted.

We’ve all been heartbroken over the persistent and intractable racial inequity that exists in this country. But what can we do about it as individuals?

We should protest injustice. We should vote. And we should be counted.

Not many people equate the Census with racial equity. But Census data is used to allocate resources for education, childcare, workforce training and health care. If we are undercounted, we lose resources that are rightfully ours. Hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake. Census data also draws political boundaries, which matters a lot to our representation in the halls of government. If we are undercounted, our state could lose congressional seats and more. All this matters a great deal.

Most of all, the census is our history. It is the record of who lived here, at this time and this place. It is the record of how diverse a nation we were.

The reason why communities of color are undercounted in every census are varied. Some of it has to do with a distrust of government or a cynicism that anything will ever change. But no matter the reason, we should not let it stop us from being counted. In fact, the historic undercount of Black and Brown communities should make our commitment to being counted stronger. It is our right and our obligation.

There are not many things we can do that take only ten minutes but will last for centuries. But that’s what the census is; a small amount of effort to be counted in a ledger that is kept for all time.

If you have not filled out the 2020 Census, please do so today. Go to www.2020census.gov/ or call 844-330-2020.

Donald Dew
Counting on Chicago Coalition

Historic Pullman and generous donors

The Chicago Sun Times recent editorial, Restoration of historic clocktower will help put Pullman – and Chicago’s far South Side – back on track, highlights the important role public-private partnerships play in preserving our shared history and supporting local communities.

When Pullman National Monument was designated in 2015, the core feature of the site, the historic Clock Tower, and the surrounding grounds required significant and costly restoration. The National Park Foundation and philanthropists stepped up, contributing generously, and committed to raise additional funds needed to launch the project and to assure its success. The ensuing partnership between the National Park Service, the Chicago Neighborhood Initiative, the State of Illinois and the National Park Foundation delivered critical investment and expertise to the project.

Along the way, they have consulted and engaged the Pullman community to ensure that the new National Monument, when fully restored, will reclaim its integral place in the life of this landmark neighborhood. The result will be to preserve and share Pullman’s unique history, and the vital role the company and employees played in the struggle for civil rights and fair labor standards. While it has taken more than five years to arrive here, this Monument will serve the community and country for generations to come.

To date, private donors have contributed $10.5 million, including the generous support of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, the Union Pacific Foundation and the Fund II Foundation.

For more than a century, philanthropists, foundations, corporations and local communities have given generously to preserve and improve our national parks, and Pullman National Monument stands as an example of the power or working together.

Will Shafroth
President and CEO
National Park and Foundation

Robert Rivkin
Board member
National Park Foundation