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LATINO GROUP USES RELIGION
TO PUSH CENSUS PARTICIPATION
Jan. 7, 2010 - In an attempt to encourage illegal immigrants to cooperate
with the 2010 census, the National Association of Latino Elected
Officials has produced a poster exploiting the religious beliefs of Latino
immigrants.
The poster, unveiled during the Christmas season, implies that a census
was responsible for the birth of Jesus. It shows Mary and Joseph on
their way to Bethlehem complying with the command from Caesar to
return to the city of their ancestors to be counted.
The poster says that they “participated in the census.” and concludes,
“This is how Jesus was born.”
While it’s true that Mary and Joseph participated in the census, it’s also
true that as a result of participating in the census Mary was forced to give
birth in a cold, unsanitary barn surrounded by animals instead of at home attended by her family.
Some Latino religious leaders have condemned the poster as “blasphemous.” It is certainly condescending
and exploitative.
TO PUSH CENSUS PARTICIPATION
Jan. 7, 2010 - In an attempt to encourage illegal immigrants to cooperate
with the 2010 census, the National Association of Latino Elected
Officials has produced a poster exploiting the religious beliefs of Latino
immigrants.
The poster, unveiled during the Christmas season, implies that a census
was responsible for the birth of Jesus. It shows Mary and Joseph on
their way to Bethlehem complying with the command from Caesar to
return to the city of their ancestors to be counted.
The poster says that they “participated in the census.” and concludes,
“This is how Jesus was born.”
While it’s true that Mary and Joseph participated in the census, it’s also
true that as a result of participating in the census Mary was forced to give
birth in a cold, unsanitary barn surrounded by animals instead of at home attended by her family.
Some Latino religious leaders have condemned the poster as “blasphemous.” It is certainly condescending
and exploitative.