The Black Caucus Steps In To Fight For Digital Equality

An article by Navarrow    View Comments

The AT&T merger has been the talk of the Internet since it was announced. Groups like Free Press immediately jumped in (which was no surprise) to make claims that this merger will bring the end of competition but if you have seen the sprint commercials lately you realize that it’s having the opposite effect. The one huge positive about this deal that no one seems to be highlighting is what this means for connecting minorities and people in rural areas to the Internet. The problem is highlighted in inner cities on a regular basis. for example an article in the sun times quotes ” A 2009 study by the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Iowa found that 40 percent of all Chicagoans have little or no Internet access. Surveys showed that one in four Chicagoans are completely offline and another 15 percent have limited access.”
The same article highlights that the Black Caucus sees that void and is getting involved to make sure that needs of African Americans are served. By this group being involved and pushing the to make sure things like free or reduced-rate Internet access is available for the digitally disadvantaged. With this group pushing for the interest of their constituents and the end to end coverage in places like Mississippi, S. Carolina, Michigan and West Virginia. So while you hear some groups make “claims” that this deal is bad for everyone. The “reality” is that benefits are real for minorities and groups like the black caucus are making sure we get the equality we have been longing for.