Citizens told 'We must stand up and be counted'

Citizens told 'We must stand up and be counted'

LIZ BEAVERS
CUMBERLAND —

African-Americans who do not participate in the upcoming Census 2000 would be, in effect, failing their ancestors, according to Delegate Joanne Benson, who spoke to the crowd at the Metropolitan AME Church Sunday Morning. Benson was the featured speaker Sunday morning during the combination Black History Celebration/Census 2000 Kick-Off co-sponsored by the Metropolitan AME Church of Cumberland and the Allegany County Chapter of the NAACP.

In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of the upcoming Census 2000, and challenged everyone in the room —regardless of ancestry — to "stand up and be counted." Figures obtained through the 10-year census are used to help determine eligibility for state and federal funds, among other things.

The Rev. Gary Curtis, pastor of Metropolitan Church, also touched upon the importance of African Americans in being counted during the Census.

"Without us being a part of the numbers, we can see our dreams and visions being removed from us," he said. "If we are to maintain the achievements made by our foreparents, we must stand up and be counted," he said.

We cannot afford to allow Allegany County to lose out and be short-changed," Benson told the crowd. "And this is particularly important in the African-American community," Benson said.

The Rev. Jerome Singletary, pastor of Dickerson AME Church, and Jackie Harper, president of the Allegany County Chapter of the NAACP also spoke during the worship service.