According to the Media Awareness Network a stereotype is:

Stereotype: A fixed, commonly held notion or image of a person or group, based on an oversimplification of some observed or imagined trait of behaviour or appearance.

Every year, since 1790, Americans everywhere have had an impact in their state and community by taking part in the United States Census. With the 2010 Census just around the corner, just a couple weeks from now, your part can make a difference.

Since the beginning of the Census, people have made a difference in their community by filling out the 10 question questionnaire and sending it back (for free) to the Census Bureau. It only takes 10 minutes, according to the Census Bureau website.

The 2010 Census will be shelling out around $400 billion to help various communities with hospitals, job training, senior centers, public works projects, schools and much more. Every person counted will be worth around $1300 per their community. Congressional districts also are affected by the Census and if you are not counted, it is hard to get representation.

This year marks a turn for the Census Bureau who has been asking colleges to take an active part in the Census. Previous years have come and gone and few students have participated. According to the Census campus website, “Historically, the highly mobile college student population living on and off campus has been hard to count – in part, because many people believe that college students are counted on their parents' questionnaires. However, students living away from home will receive their own questionnaires, so to prevent students from being counted twice (or not at all!) in the census, they and their parents need to know this.”

It’s important to note that no one will check to see if you have a criminal background or if you are a legal resident. Students involved in student government and faculty will be reminding students this year to take part. It’s up to us. Stand up and be counted!

The Illumination Project event Friday, was put on by one of the departments of Portland Community College that focuses a plethora of discrimination topics and by our Diversity Achievement Center.

Klohk, was born and raised in Albany, Ore and is the oldest of three children; raised by a single mom who had to work two or three jobs to support the family.

After graduating at West Albany High School Klohk joined the military. It wasn’t until Klohk joined the Army that she realized the stereotypes and beliefs that she had held unconsciously were not as accurate as she formerly believed.

“Think about some of the history where we get some of the things we say to other people in a negative way”, Klohk said, “When we call someone a slave driver; slave driver meant at one time someone that oversaw African-American slaves during the slave times. One thing that makes me mad is when a boy is called a ‘sissy’ when they are bad because in the minds of the one who said it they are like girls.”

After the military Klohk came to Linn-Benton Community College and into the classroom of history teacher Doug Clark, who helped shape some of the values she holds dear and that changed the way she looked at diversity.

Klohk said, “It’s a matter of opening our ears and minds and becoming aware of what we say and do. Not to feel guilty, but to seek and learn so that we can become better people”.

Valerie Zeigler, Outreach and Retention Specialist, located in the DAC said, “She is passionate about social justice and moving diversity forward on the campus”. Rinee Merritt, a student in the graphic design program at LBCC, concurred, “She’s very commited to social justice”.

Klohk desires a better society where stereotypes are diminished and diversity will thrive. With drive and ambition and a mindset to achieve Toni Klohk is a woman that is alive.

“She’s like our ‘momma’, she makes sure that we clean up and gives us puzzles to do and she takes care of us”, said Kathrine Lee, a student that frequents the DAC.