Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 19 September 2002 — Page 11

The Muncie Times, September 19, 2002, page 11

WITNESS FOR JUSTICE Digital divide is a continuing U.S. problem'

Bernice Powell Jackson

When I left the dentist’s office today and tried to make my next appointment, his assitant said they’d have to call me back because the computers were down. I asked her, “What did we do before computers?” We laughed, remembering appointment books, carbon paper and such. But not having access to computers and the Internet is no laughing matter. For the next generation it may be the difference between having a job or not. It may be the difference between being able to support yourself and your family or not. Indeed, today computer literacy may be just as crucial to survival as being able to read and write a century ago. Many assembly line workers today, for example, must know how to use computers, as must typesetters, paint mixers and even some hotel cleaners, who punch into a computer when they finish cleaning a room. But knowing how to use a computer is not the only skill necessary for life in the 21st century. One must also know how to navigate the Internet,

where there is almost unlimited information, often lower prices and all kinds of training available. Great progress has been made on making the Internet available to the American public. But, clearly, there is a long way to go. It seems that the U.S. Senate has understood that in that it has voted to preserve two programs that combat the “digital divide” - the disparity between those who have access to the Internet and those who do not. One program, the Department of Education’s Community Technology Centers, provides matching grants that create technology access and training facilities for disadvantaged Americans. These centers are located in communities across the nation and provide computer access for mothers on welfare to learn new software packages that will help them get jobs; for children to learn computer games and to do reports and other school projects; and for immigrants to learn English and prepare for their citizenship exams. They help address the 60percentage point digital divide for young people ages 10 to 17 based on their family income. Only about 30 percent of young people in the lowest income categories use computers at home, compared to more than 90% in the highest. A second program funded

by the Senate is the Department of Commerce’s Technology Opportunities Program (TOP). TOP provides matching grants for demonstration projects to use technology in innovative ways to solve social problems and improve community access to telecommunications. Many police cars have laptop computers because of this program, rural and poor African American churches in Louisiana are now connected by computer because of it and many Americans are now protected by a hurricane warning system funded by it. The irony is that because of the success of these programs, the Bush administration has recommended that they be eliminated, arguing that the digital divide no longer exists. While there have been real increases in the use of the Internet by poor people, those in rural areas, the disabled and African Americans and Hispanic Americans all still lag far behind. But others have argued that just declaring that the digital divide is over doesn’t make it so. “We’re a nation online?” asked Larry Irving, former Commerce Department undersecretary, noting that 60 percent of African Americans don’t have Internet access, nor do 70 percent of Hispanic Americans. “It’s one thing to say that there is a job that should be done and the government shouldn’t do it...it’s another to say that the divide is solved.” But job preparation and

academic achievement are not the only reasons for poor people, people of color, those who live in rural areas and the disabled to have access to the Internet. The Internet is about access to information. As media consolidation continues at a frightening pace, it is imperative that other voices and points of view be available to more Americans. Moreover, poor people, more than any others need access to many of the lower prices, which the Internet provides for all kinds of goods and services. Finally, as Don Wycliff of the Chicago Tribune recently wrote, “Part of being poor - maybe the worst part - is feeling excluded. Left out. Left out of society’s important business; left out its conversations.” The digital divide leaves out many Americans who don’t have much to contribute to the marketplace and to the nation. Thank goodness the U.S. Senate is doing something about it. Even though the Senate has authorized the funding of these two programs to address the digital divide, it is Bencie Powell Jackson is executive minister of the United Church of Christ’s Justice & Witness Ministries. You can reach her at 700 Prosepct Ave., Cleveland OH 441151110, Phone: 216-736-3700. important to stay vigilant as it goes through the budget process.