It’s beginning to sound like a cliché, but it cannot be emphasized enough that “we can’t move forward until you mail it back.”

In short, it means money and power.

The 2010 Census, for African Americans and Caribbean Americans in particular, is a way to improve and increase the resources available in our communities. Blacks are considered a “hard to count” group and so special effort has been made to not only get the word out, but to encourage Blacks to participate.

Having an accurate count is essential since the census data is used to determine how billions of federal dollars are allocated every year for services including hospitals, senior centers, schools, roads and other infrastructure. Without an accurate count, the government cannot adequately provide for the people – which means some communities will have to make do with whatever the government allots to them based on the count.

Additionally, there is strength in numbers. Therefore we weaken our political and economic clout when we are undercounted. How can we establish ourselves, especially Caribbean Americans, as a formidable voting bloc and a viable economic market when our numbers are incorrect? We cannot afford to count ourselves out, which is why there has been a push for Caribbean Americans to indicate their country of origin on the Census form.

There is much riding on the accuracy of the 2010 Census; and at a time when we have a president whose policies are focused on reviving the middle class, improving education, reforming healthcare and generally improving social wellbeing, African Americans and Caribbean Americans need to take advantage by participating in the process.

Sure, the ads are in newspapers, they are broadcast on radio and television; and a number of elected officials and community leaders have taken up the cause to encourage participation in the 2010 Census. But there are many Blacks and other minority groups that are still reluctant to participate.

It could be out of fear – fear that the information is not private and will be used for unfavorable reasons. While this fear is understandable, it has to be assuaged, since the information collected in the census is confidential and it is illegal for it to be given to any organization or other government agencies.

Then there is the general apathy. Some people are uninterested because they do not know, or do not care about what having an accurate count means.

Census Bureau director Robert Groves said to date, just about 65 percent of households have mailed back their census forms. Currently, Florida is lagging behind the nation with about 35 percent – Miami showing the lowest returns. This is unacceptable.

If you have not mailed back your census form as yet, now is a good time. The deadline for mailing in the 2010 Census, April 22, is fast approaching and the only way to avoid having a census worker come to your home is to fill it out and mail it back.

Do it now; it takes 10 minutes. This is one time when you cannot afford not to be counted.