After last night's horror show of a debate, we know that the 2020 Census may be the last thing on your mind. But when we look at Trump and what we're up against in the weeks, months, and years ahead, the census will be one of the most powerful tools we have to help rebuild -- and restructure -- our Democracy.

The census deadline is now Oct. 5. When we look at the numbers, Black and Brown families have been disproportionately undercounted, which will undoubtedly lead to years of underfunding for already under-resourced communities. The Census is used to distribute $16.9 billion annually in North Carolina, including $956 million in education funding, $508 million in housing, $964 million in transportation, $10.624 billion in health, and more.

This administration has made it clear that it does not care about Black and Brown communities and is, in fact, aligning himself with White Supremacy groups like the Proud Boys. No matter what happens in November, the effects of this systematic devaluing of the lives and struggles of communities of color will continue to ripple for years to come. We must ensure that these communities are delegated as much federal funding as possible through the census in order to change the material conditions of their own lives over the next decade.

If you've already filled out the census, consider asking your immediate circles -- friends, family, communities of faith -- if they have done the same.

Thank you for taking ten minutes to #BeCounted -- we're counting on you!