Monday, September 28 at 3pm
Pleasants Family Assembly Room
Wilson Library
The current administration is aiming to radically change the US Census, excluding millions of people in communities across the United States and diminishing the rights of everyone living in this country. Join Dr. danah boyd, author of "Data Are Made, Not Found: A Story of Politics, Power, and the Civil Servants Who Saved the US Census" to discuss how we all have a role to play in making democracy's data. Moderated by Quinn Ray and Daniel Ayers from The Hometown Holler, we'll learn what it takes to make sure everyone counts.
"I can only hope, going forward, that the American public will begin to recognize that civil servants are not our adversaries; they are our emissaries. They make data on our behalf to realize the promises of our nation. They are not perfect–and neither are the data that they make. But as we aim to create 'a more perfect Union,' we must appreciate and strengthen what civil servants do. Without them, we will not have the data we use to construct the American project."
-danah boyd, from Data Are Made, Not Found (2026)
"If people can see how government actually functions where they live, participation stops feeling symbolic and starts feeling practical."
-Daniel Ayers and Quinn Ray
Here are a few short readings that we think would be beneficial to contextualize the content of this event.
"American democracy depends on the census. Trump is undermining it.(opens in new tab)"
"How States’ Seats in the U.S. House Could Change After the Next Census.(opens in new tab)"
"Census Quietly Changes Charter for Key Policy Committee, Opening Door for Political Interference(opens in new tab)"(opens in new tab)