To all Crown Heights Residents,
I am a Shlucha’s daughter who boards at my grandparents’ house and attends Beis Rivkah High School in Crown Heights.
Earlier this evening, I heard the doorbell ring, and when I went to the door, I saw an African American woman wearing her badge which clearly identified her as a census worker.
I opened the door and she explained to me that she is going to all the homes who did not send in their census forms.
She told me that this is for our benefit so we can have better representation in Congress.
I gave her all the necessary information. When I was done, she gave me a couple of addresses on my block and asked me if I knew the names of the individuals who live there.
She told me that when she is in this neighborhood ringing peoples doors, most people don’t answer, and if they do they tell her to come back later, or that they can not give out such personal information. (Mind you….it is just your date of birth, gender, and first and last name.)
One lady even told her that her Rabbi does not allow her to fill out such forms.
This lady told me that she lives on Carroll street between Brooklyn and New York and that she has a good relationship with her Jewish neighbors, but she suspects that the reason people don’t answer their doors is because she is black.
As I felt bad for the Chilul Hashem that people were making, I offered to go with her to a few houses on my block that she needed the information from.
Interesting enough, when people saw me with her, they opened their doors. Once I explained what she was doing, some people cooperated with her and gave her the information, however the majority of the people were rude.
One lady came to the door and told us that her son was not supposed to open the door for us and that she is not the owner of the house so she can not help us. (She is my neighbor… I know it is her house…)
I can write several more rude things that the census worker told me people told her. Perhaps it is because I did not grow up in Crown Heights, but my point is that I feel a person should not be judged by their skin color but by their action.
In the future no matter who comes to your door, you should treat them with simple courtesy and mentchlichkeit and that way you will be making a Kiddush Hashem instead of a Chilul Hashem.
Signed,
B.R.
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Its sickening to see peoples disgusting comments.. BR did a fube job and was just teaching others as a typiccal shlucha would-proper mentchlichkeit. i am just blown away by some of your comments.. #65. you should be ashamed and embarassed of yourself… causing a chillul hashem online… unimpressed. good job br! may you go michayil el chayil and continue to be the living example for us al to learn from
i do not think that it is a waste of time, or a breach of privacy, for two reaons. 1)because why do they want this? besides knowing how many people live in U.S, it is to know how and to whom to give U.S tax money too whom. so if they know the majority of what communties are made of in creed, race, and age they are able to give $$ to the correct places, 2) you pay tax $$ and if you do, dont you want it tp be used for YOUR reasons and OUR communtiies Causes? and if… Read more »
This article rocks!
What do you expect?! You gave out personal information about your hosts without their knowledge? A guest is supposed to feel at home but not to that extent.. A guest should not be opening the door for other people as if it is their own home..
I think that rather than spending all this time worrying about whether or not you are racist, join the census, knock on the doors of the black community and see how worried they are about treating you politely and treat them with the same respect to which they accord you. However, you had better know how to run very fast.
no matter how much u crown heightsers deny the fact that ur not racist and u wud also not open the door if the person was white…. come on!! be realistic …
I am not from New York. I was in CH meeting with shadchanim. My hosts were my shliachs parents. They were not home when the census came, as I knew the family so well (even all their grandchildre ka”h!) I was able to answer everything. BUT to my surprise they were horrified when they heard what I had done. I guess being from the west coast I am much more worldy and informed than the east coast people – especially the older ones who think there is still comunism..
I had one lady show up and her name was Mimi.. she looked like that too except she stared a lot (and this is rude but she had buck teeth…) I couldnt stop laughing so my mother (who btw is a teacher in brhs) told her we already did the cencus.. she was so funny!
I totally agree with the author. I offer the census workers drinks, and even let them pick some daises from my front lawn! As far as apparence, the one that came to my door was wearing a red undershirt that was sticking out along with flip flops – what a sight 😉 I knew she could do no harm to us!! CHs u just gotta open your mind a bit!!
nasty comments as always when someone does the right thing.. so funny! 🙂
Fill out ur forms…if not – Be polite and answer their qs..they are only at ur door bc its ur fault u didnt send in ur forms…. thank them!
IM ALSO A SHLUCHA AND I ALSO GO TO BEIS RIVKA AND SOMETIMES I FEEL THE SAME WAY. ITS NOT FAIR TO JUDGE PEOPLE BY THEIR COLOROR BECAUSE HES DIFFERENT THEN YOU.BY ACCEPTING EVERYONE THE WAY THEY ARE, IT WILL BRING A KIDUSH HASHEM
didnt the rebbe say in regards to feminists that racism comes from the person them self not feeling capable……….
In this insane administration where illegal’s have more rights then citizen’s and we have an illegitimate president in the white house do we really need to go out of our way to give them information like who we are and where we live? It seems if they don’t have that info ur better off anyway! Keep ur doors closed and send a message to the government, do something useful and we’ll work with ur census people!!
if you have issue with the person at the door then maybe in front of tham call there boss to vertify that its not bs
we neeed everyone to reply b/c if not its the community loss on money that it could use
plus then should of done in the mail
You are right when they came we gave them the info, offered a drink and chated for a minute and I think it is a chilul Hashem for being rude. But……………….racism……………..When you, three of you’r sibling’s and you’r neighbor are muged/attacket at under the age of 11, don’t tell me about being a racist!!!
people you should give the info but changed ur age & date of birth so they cant go 2 ur social security records
Yes she may just be asking a few questions but, She could Google your name and find out more info and make a robbery CH”V.
Whatever
Oh you’re so tough! Wowee, grow up and get some Torah thoughts not conspiracy thoughts into your brain. Obey the law of the land or leave it.
its sickining how ppl act these days i actually know the lady who said its not my house she told me shes sorry and really embarresed
…until I hear them or have seen so!
everyone is missing the point here! all this is saying is that even if your scared of giving ur info out… our answering the door to african american, just be polite! make a Kiddush Hashem to all these people!
crownheightsers.. face it.. her point is be POLITE!!! nothing to do with if u feel comftorable or not to fill out the census..and for those of u arguing about her feelings as a black person..thats what it clearly says here that she said so what is ther to argue about… the shluchas main point once again:is to be a mentch not for this to turn into a “gvmt conspiracy or scandal” be a mentch and she is 1000 percent right (65 has it way outta hand.. her point was be polite.. reread the article maybe)
Race? Number of people? Questions? Questions? Come on yidden! If you do not fill out the census form your family will not benefit by the federal, state and local funds generated by population-driven social service and infrastracture programs. If you do not fill out the census forms we will have low population numbers and will not be properly counted for districts by the congress, state assembly, state senate, and city council. If you do not like your elected officials, or if you do like them, STAND UP AND BE COUNTED. If you do not cooperate with the Census, you dishonor… Read more »
but she suspects that the reason people don’t answer their doors is because she is black.
—
Oh, please. Just another loser looking for a fight. Those of us whose roots are or have experience in former Communist Europe often do not like to give info to the government, and there is the issue of counting not exactly being a segula.
regardless of anything, just be a mentch, make a kiddush Hashem not a chillul Hashem! moshiach now!
why cant we get a lubavicher i donno maybe some guy to go knocking on doors. then it would solve all problems. and why is the government too stupid to think of that.
I’m very impressed with how you handled this! I agree that every person should be dealt with courtesy.
Does anyone here realize that one of Obama’s first moves as president was to relocate the census bureau into the white house? Hello!?? Second move: To put ACORN in charge of the census. Hello!?? Fortunately ACORN was exposed and is now in a shambles. However, I invited the census workers into the house, and as they were sitting down I asked them “Does this go to the white house. The white lady said yes. The black lady said no, it goes to congress. I threw them out, telling them quite clearly that as a Jew I am not sending personal… Read more »
65 is 90% right,
be smart not naive, realize it before its too late
The ONLY thing you are obligated by law to fill out is the number of people living in your house. I verified that with the pleasant (BLACK) lady census worker I met a couple of weeks ago on my block. In fact, we had a nice chat & she told me she didn’t think she could get in my building as no one would answer the dooe. So my son who was going home escorted her down the block & let her in to go to my neighbors. Black, green, white…who cares? As long as they are polite (& they… Read more »
no need to call her stupid and call other hypicrots.. shame on you. can col please remove comment 65.. extremely rude..and oh yeah, writing in caps doesnt get ur point out any stronger..
The fact that not everyone wants to answer all the census questions is not the issue here. The issue is that this (and everything else) must be the result of ‘racism’. Many, though certainly not all, black people here get away with things in Crown Heights that would get them arrested anywhere else and have posed a continuos threat over the years r’lt- resulting from the racism that is directed against the precious Jewish people of our community. This has affected Yidden who originally tried being courteous and good neighbors, an effort which is not always appreciated to say the… Read more »
we can pull together as a community and decide how to deal with this. otherwise, people don’t know what to do and how to act when they feel paranoid about a stranger coming to their house.
picture taken by collive helicopter? when did col buy a helicopter?
you clearly dont understand! the author is just bringing out a very good point but just doesnt want to put her name on it so that the whole world will know who wrote it and drive her crazy, think before u write things…!
it might be true that you have to be careful so if your really responsible and care for your safety send it in yourself don’t make them come to our doors!! the census only helps YOU
it could be this girl didn’t grow up in CH so she doesn’t understand why people are scared but the fact that you opened the door showed you are not scared so at least act like a mensch helloooooo its for YOUR benefit to fill out the forms so if you really care for your safety….send it in get your act together! its a shame people in the rebbe community act like this! we should learn from this girl who her parents raised her on shlichus the right way!!!!!!!!
Putting the census aside for one moment, what alarms me more at this point in time, is the lack of respect and tolerance that is displayed in the comments above – between one Jew and another. There is name calling, put downs, intimidation – all to get a point across. If you have a point, make it in a mentchlech way. Everyone has a right to express their opinion, but no one has the right to put down someone elses point of view.
Noone is scared of a educated african american women, it has nothing to do with her color, it has everything to do with the Government wanting information we are not comfortable sharing. The Jewish people have a long and even recent history of being rounded up for prosecution based on government data.
Pleeeeease Crown heights people are what? if they are scared it is because unfortunately they have had enough Tzores r”l which where ever your Mishpacha yichyu are on Shlichus were never exposed to it, b”h
I did not get a follow up in the mail, but I did get a follow up phonecall and was plagued for 15 minutes with the most bizarre and braindead questions you can imagine, and I had to repeat the same answers for EVERY single family member (9 in all).
I am also getting calls from the CDC conduction immunization polls from the census bureau…..
THIS IS THE FINAL WORD AND NO MORE COMMENTS AFTER THIS. 1) THIS IS NOT 1950 AMERICA. PEOPLE DO NOT TRUST THE GOVERNMENT AS THEY ARE TAKING OUR RIGHTS AWAY FROM US EVERY SINGLE DAY. 2) MOST BLACK LADIES WITH BADGES IN CROWN HEIGHTS ARE EITHER GIVING OUT TICKETS, FINES OR SUMMONS FOR THE LOCAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT OR CPS DOING AN INVESTIGATION!! 3) DID IT OCCUR TO ANYONE THAT FAMILIES WHERE ROBBED FOR OPENING THE DOOR TO CENSUS WORKERS JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WITHIN A MILE RADIUS…DUH. OH AND YES WOMEN CAN ROB AND KILL TOO. 4)IS SHE… Read more »
I have next door neighbors who are black, and they are so nice! It really bthers me that there is still racism. Call me naive, ik, but in a tiny town where we get along, for me, all this went on before the civil war and ended when blacks were given full rights. Now I know thats not true, but it’s sad that racism still hasn’t ended. We have to set an example. Of we hate others, y should we complain when people hate us?
one guy started telling us some stories about places he goes (e.g. people with guns etc.) and even non-jews are really mean
once at about 8:00 p.m. a black person came to our house trying to get us to subscribe for a magazine. my father felt bad for him b/c it was late, so we invited him in for dinner. and so he came in and ate dinner with us.
racism blah, give me a break when i first came to this community i could not understand the distrust of the other half of our “community” however, we have suffered from them badly and some are dangerous – as we know unfortunately so, give me a break racism open your door? sorry, one has to be careful and i was the same as you when i first arrived. i hear you, but opening your door to someone who is dubious is just common sense. however, rudeness had no place anywhere. open the door or dont open the door. once you… Read more »
go oot brhs 770′!! u rock! sticking up for the basic politeness that we were brought up with 🙂
maybe she just doesnt want people like you to contact her..so that way she will not put you in ur place and embarass you…and besides-the census is only for goverment sake so u can give ur first and last name… If she signs her intitials.. that wouldnt be smart for obvious loshon hora reasons… why should she want everyone talking about her (obviously in a good way–praising her for doing the right thing..) 🙂
to #19, who wrote:
“Many of us are private people who value our privacy dearly. It isn’t just how we were brought up under Communism – it’s a democratic ideal! I don’t give out ANY information about me (not even my name) unless I am required to by law.”
Copied from the census website q&a:
“Do I have to fill the form in?
Yes. Respondents are required by law to answer all questions to the best of their ability.”
Well now. What will be your next excuse?
people in brooklyn are not so freindly to strangers, period. not that it’s right- but it has nothing to do with her being black. completly agree with number 26
people obviously dont understand what the census is for… if you did you would have filled it out ages ago and ENCOURAGE your neighbours to do so too! if you want funding for your schools, streets, police etc… they need to know how many ppl there are! how can you expect quality when ‘officially’ there are only XX amount of ppl living in ch, when really there is about 200 times more??! obviously then the funding and investments are going to be stretched!!!! gett real, stop complaining and be a responsible resident! to #46… ur comment is so very short… Read more »
To the author – you seem to be a very sweet, idealistic person, and it’s nice that you decided to get passionate about something you feel for. BUT – as you yourself write, you are in high school still, and at such an age, there is still much to learn about the world. For one thing – this woman said she suspects people don’t open the door because she is black. I am sure that this is not the reason. (And reading over 50 comments here only reinforced my opinion.) People would not open their doors either because of fear,… Read more »
Thanks for coming down off our ‘outsider” mountain to begrduge us. The fact is that the only thing this census does is keep local anti jewish liberal democrat politicians in power.
reject the census. It doesnt help us in any way.
“Dont listen to what the critics are saying…just get on with the job..” U did a great job ms. bais rivkah girl! people who do not have nice things to say are just not mature enough to write up an article (so well written may I add..) about a problem that is going on in CH. Stop criticizing her for going the RIGHT thing and you go do the right thing urself–be a mentch!
It may be fraud. Don’t answer it!!!
every word in that article makes so much sense. I dont live in crown heights but a census worker did come to me house. He was of a different race (not African American) and i gladly accepted his questions and answered them fully. The person did have a census badge and so what is there not to believe? After reading all these comments of people with unreasonable excuses i would like to say my view on the subject.
the government knows where you live anyway and how many kids you have and who you live with so who cares??? privacy is not an issue with the census especially since they only use it for statistical information and to help you!
for being so dumb, and even bringing up this topic, you are a 100% fool, and its self understood why,
first live here for 20 years then lets see if you became any smarter,
i understand! we shouldnt be scared to give our private information while the auther of this article just signs her initials.
As lubavichers its your job to be the one to “open the door” for everyone because one day they may be black but they may also be yidden like my Niece and Nephew. You see my sister never became frum and nebach married a goy, a black man. they have 2 children together wheo learn with my mother everynight over the phone. I send them all neccesary judaica needs for the yom tovim. Most importantly they have yiddisha neshamahs and because of people out there that will judge them because theya re black you are in essence doing what the… Read more »
“FILL OUT THE FORM WHEN YOU GOT IN THEM MAIL..” if we all did that, this poor young lady would be unemployed (maybe even collecting welfare), why begrudge her a livelihood??? Not filling out the form creates jobs, boosts the economy, keeps young people out of mischief, gives them excercise and plenty of fresh air…
I got another thick envelope from saying I’v been randomly selected to answer another 100 very personal questions and its mandatory! and now received another one as a reminder. What should I do?
I’m not afraid to divulge when it was the last time that I’ve brushed my teeth either, but it doesn’t make it the federal Government’s business.
If a private citizen would harass me in this way, I’d sue him for harassment. The feds think they have the liberty to encroach on our privacy and have the chutzpah to believe we have to comply to their harassment!
#35, do you really think you’re the only one who’s oh so kind? News flash: as a native Crown Heightser living out of town presently: if I see a black here, I give a big smile. In CH, I just try to get out of the way and pretend I don’t see them. That’s not racism, but simple experience which has produced FEAR — ever since I was a little child and the blacks in my neighborhood would laugh and chase me after I said hello to them.
I filled out the census form and mailed it in a timely manner and still a census taker came knocking at my door. I told her I had sent it but she insisted that she had to asked me the questions again.
Today 2008 Libertarian Party Presidential candidate has written a very insightful article on this subject matter. (He is the same Bob Barr whom has penned an op-ed in the Des Moines Register defending SM Rubashkin.):
http://blogs.ajc.com/bob-barr-blog/2010/05/26/census-workers-can-enter-your-apartment-in-your-absence/
come live in ch
I agree people should be polite- but the census form itself is racist. Why do they need to know what skin color the people in the house are?
1st of all yes it is obvious racism get real. 2nd as was stated, the Census according to the Constitution is only to know how many people live in a residence, the purpose is for appropriation of Congressmen not for social programs.
a typical bais rivka naive girl
coming from a city in california where there are (b”h) no racist problems, i may be judging too harshly. but one thought: why cant the lubavitchers and african americans JUST GET ALONG? as the author stated in the title, its such a chilul hashem. just give a smile to that little african american child riding his scooter down the block…
a gut shabbos.
i have a better idea.. FILL OUT THE FORM WHEN YOU GOT IN THEM MAIL.. then nobody needs to come to your door… READ YOUR MAIL.. FILL OUT WHAT IS REQUIRED…then no person has to come to your door.
I think its the pain of being golus that prevents and encourages
people to keep their doors closed most if not all of the times.
BETTER BE SAFE THAN SORRY!
What personal info exactly are you afraid to divulge? All they need to know is your name and how many people live in the house.
I had a census worker come to my door although i already filled mine out, i was curteous to her and thanked her for the important job she was doing. She was so greatful because many people had slammed the door in her face. People, this is a civil duty and every citizen should be filling out the census, it helps our community and govt programs when they know the population and it’s needs. About racism, i am a proud crown heightsert and not a racist. People need to seperate bad experience they may have had with one or two… Read more »
stop oooooooooooooover exzatrating!
BUT I don’t know if it happens there, but in England people fake who they are so you have to be very careful who you open the door to.
My gosh, like,ur such a girl. i mean, yeah, a teenage girl. totally for sure from out of town. my goodness.
“but she suspects that the reason people don’t answer their doors is because she is black.” I am so sick to death of black people playing victim with this kind of paranoia. I don’t think it has anything to do with the fact that she was black. It is probably one of 2 things: 1. People are afraid to open their doors to strangers, especially with all the reports of phony census workers coming and robbing your home (remember this is NYC). 2. People are simply uneducated about the census system, and are just reluctant to give personal information about… Read more »
People don’t like giving out information to the government. It’s none of their business. The only constitutional right they have to ask is how many people live in their home. Beyond that their questionnaire is one huge breach of privacy.
When people raise halachik concerns they are absolutely correct. Crack open a chumash to the first few pesukim of ki sisa. We’re not talking about a long and complex taz. This is open chumash!
Its got nothing to do with the color on your face people dont just open the door to strangers!!!!
A BLACK GIRL CAME TO US AND AFTER FILLING OUT THE FORMS SHE SAID THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO CONVERT TO JEWDAISM BECAUSE THE JEWS IN THE NEIBORHOOD ARE SO NICE; this is the honest truth, i did not make it up
sounds like a shadchonim
#7 & #9 smart answers.
Interesting story. Nicely written.
Any person or ‘yid’ that treats a non-Jew poorly is not a ‘chassid’ of The Rebbe, MH”M because G-d made everyone. Therefore when anyone mistreats a human being (Excluding the truly wicked–Amalek, example.) they are criticizing and abusing G-d’s creation.
Of course in the evil-doer’s eyes they consider themeselves ‘chassidim.’ Trick of ‘the yetzer.’
[email protected]
i filled mine in as soon as it came in the mail, its the easy way, try it 🙂
Many of us are private people who value our privacy dearly. It isn’t just how we were brought up under Communism – it’s a democratic ideal! I don’t give out ANY information about me (not even my name) unless I am required to by law.
Filling out the census report is very important and according to the law you need to fill it ou! It will only HELP you in the end! It take a whole of 5 min if someone comes to your door if that!
I filled out the form and sent it back ages ago..
come on, people!
Blacks who were born in the US are not African American. My mother is from South America, but I was born here. Does this make me a Hispanic American. My husband has patients from Nigeria and Kenya. They have told him that they resent it when blacks from this country call themselves african American. So stop with the political correctness shtus.
unfortunately, I don’t know how to handle this, but I do have a problem with the census bureau that comes door to door.
I live in L.A. and I feel vulnerable, giving personal info to strangers. I know they need it, but we live in scary times and somehow, the government should figure out a better way to handle this….
I agree with number 12. each household must send out the census for our bennefit, so if you dont, you will get a visitor. I dont see a reason to be afraid of one lady who comes to your door as opposed to 2 men no matter their race. So crown heights fellows just fill out the stupid form. I have gotten called by them to verify some info that was not clear on the phone, and was totally fine with it.
I agree with #11
way to go b.r.
I admit we had one on our block also – brooklyn ave and empire blvd they mean well – just so many of us have no patience or a head to think these days everything thru – some of you might understand what thats all about.
Thanks again to B.R.
If you’re worried about who’s at your door, you should have filled out the form when they sent it, and no one will come to your door.
It just takes a couple of minutes.
Obviously B.R. was brought up by fine outstanding parents.
YOUR SUCH A CROWN HEIGHTSER!!!!!!!!!! my gosh….to throw up…
People have reason to be scared! A little badge doesn’t really tell me anything about the person I’m about to let into my house. What about those 2 males that identified themselves as Police officers and robbed the apartment which they were allowed to enter by the owner.
IF the census bureau was smart they should call the residence and arrange an appointment for the Representative to come by and I’m sure everyone will greet them with open hearts.
It is the pain of golus that has gotten to us.
Not necceraly the golus itself
hhmmmmmm
Something is not right about this story…
Very good point made….we should all learn and teach by example.
little girl….people didnt care what color she was…they just didnt have patiience!
why would i give out such information as who lives in the house, if there is no man living in the house i am opening myself up to being easy prey for robbers, etc.
in addition after people have been robbed in our neighborhood by those posing as census workers be on the safe side and dont open up.
both of these legitimate reasons have nothing to do with the color of the skin of the person who comes to the door.
there is such racism in the community here it makes me sick. i have a lot of black friends and yes there are a couple that want to do harm, but there are white people(even Jews)that also hurt people. we should teach tolerance and acceptance to the new generation and not reinforce stupid stereotypes. We don’t like when people dislike us for being Jewish how is it any different?