Navigating the Census: History and Controversy

This chapter explores the complexities and historical significance of the U.S. census, from its inception in 1790 to current debates over issues like the citizenship question. The speakers share humorous insights while discussing the practical challenges of gathering census data from a diverse population and the implications for political representation and government policy. Through reflections on historical counting methods, the chapter highlights the evolving nature of census data collection and its crucial impact on societal understanding and resource allocation.