Existing comment:
"From 1790 to 1960, Census racial counting helped design policies and laws that excluded minorities from the full benefits of American citizenship. But over the last four decades, Census numbers have helped promoted social justice and civil rights for all Americans."
-- Kenneth Prewitt, former director, US Census Bureau
The civil rights era:
The 1964 Civil Rights Act made discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin illegal in public places. It also called for desegregation of schools and helped protect voting rights.
Civil rights by the numbers:
Comparing Census data to minority representation in jobs, education and financial opportunities can help reveal whether civil rights laws are working. The Census provides official counts for these comparisons. |