Its been happening every decade since 1790. As mandated by the constitution, the U.S. Census Bureau determines the population of the nation, the results used to allocate congressional seats, electoral votes and government program funding. As census questionnaires start arriving in mailboxes this month, criticism of the census is heating up from all quarters. Right wing pundits characterize the census as part of the Obama administration's efforts to control citizens' lives. Republicans accuse organization like ACORN of distorting the results for political gain. Communities of color and other underrepresented populations worry that historic undercounting of their numbers will once again leave them without real political representation.

Priya Kandaswamy hosts. The guest is David Theo Goldberg, scholar of global racism and Director of the University of California Humanities Research Institute. He’ll discuss how race and racism have shifted around the world with the onset of globalization and other issues.

Dr. Goldberg speaks on "Socialities of the Skin" on Thursday, March 25, 7:00 p.m. at Portland State University, Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 238.

The event is co-sponsored by Oregon Humanities and KBOO.

The appointment of Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler as state treasurer last Tuesday churned county and state political waters this week. Wheeler, appointed by Governor Kulongoski to fill the vacancy created by State Treasurer Ben Westlund's death, is now better positioned to advance up the ladder of statewide offices. At the county level, meanwhile, his departure has set off a scramble for his and County Commissioner Jeff Cogen's seat - Cogen throwing his hat in the ring to be the county's top executive. What will Wheeler's departure mean for residents of Oregon's most populous county? Jo Ann and Dave look at what's ahead for the candidates and county residents.

Ali Abunimah speaking last weekend in Portland on the One State Solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions Movement and Israeli apartheid.

He is the founder of the website: http://www.electronicintifada.net