Down with the Count

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But the fault can't be placed entirely on the U.S. Census Bureau. Members of undercounted communities, fearing that their participation could lead to political intrusion, tax audits, or problems with the INS, refused to fill out forms and even shunned census takers who knocked at their doors.

Many Latino immigrants have valid reasons to fear the government-in their home countries and in the United States. Still, Soto is doing her best to convince them that participating is crucial to their well-being. 'It's time to get over our fears,' she says with the evangelist's fervor that characterizes her appearances on Spanish-language radio programs and public-access television. 'This is not a time to be afraid. It's time to stand up and be counted.'

Since the first American enumeration in 1790, the census has been part of our national identity. The U.S. Constitution calls for one every 10 years, as a way to reapportion the House of Representatives and the Electoral College. In earlier times, counts were a tool of the powerful, providing a tally of crops or potential soldiers. American-style democracy gave people a reason to think the census was for their own good; filling out the forms has been generally considered a civic duty.But some say the spirit of willing participation is eroding. 'Over the years, as the population has changed, attitudes have changed,' says Ellisa Johnson, head of Cook County's Complete Count Committee, which works with the U.S. Census Bureau to improve participation. 'Trust in the government-especially among certain communities-continues to decrease, and some groups are more worried about confidentiality and privacy than ever.'

Among African Americans from all walks of life, distrust of the government remains widespread. 'Take a look at history; it's understandable why folks have those concerns,' Johnson says.

'I saw Enemy of the State,' she adds, referring to the 1998 thriller starring Will Smith that popularized big-brother conspiracy theories and depicted government computers generating personal data at the click of a mouse. 'I still wonder in the back of my mind just how much the government knows about me. But we need to set those feelings aside, especially as people of color. I'm convinced we're only doing our community a disservice when we refuse to participate.'

Despite assurances that census data will be kept confidential, suspicion endures. The Privacy Act of 1974 limited the exchange of personal data between government agencies, but surveys show that many still believe computers are linked.

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