At first glance, it's hard to picture the census being a contentious topic. Everyone from the Muppets to Cardi B were advocating for U.S. residents to fill in the census forms! The census gives the government a clearer picture of the demographic picture of the United States - people's gender, race, education, socioeconomic status, and how resources must be allocated, such as for schools, highways, or hospitals. Inherent in the census is the quantification of identities: who makes up the United States and what are their needs based on these identifiers? In the 2020 census, the Census Bureau increased its efforts to reach Latinx and Black residents, who have historically been undercounted and have suffered the consequences.
Find out more about the 2020 census and the political effects of our identities here!