CROSSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

By Maurice Brown

Brand new technology – same old story. A recent poll issued by the Pew Internet & American Life Project (a charitable foundation created to study internet usage and its impact on our society) reports an all too familiar scenario – Blacks and Hispanics are lagging behind when it comes to making use of the new technologies that are provided by computers and the Internet. (The online population is comprised of 75% White, 11% Hispanic and 8% Black.) This gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” in the computer world is commonly referred to as the “Digital Divide.” While various factors, including economic status, education level, age and geographic location, account for a lot of the disparity, the fact remains that the Black and Hispanic communities have not embraced these new technologies as eagerly as they have cell phones, DVD players, able television, video game consoles and other non essential household items.

The consequences of being on the wrong side of the “Digital Divide” are becoming more and more severe. Computers and the Internet have played a large part in moving our society from the Industrial Age to the Information Age. As a result, more of our day-to-day functions require some type of interaction with computers or the Internet. In the coming years, this interaction will increase dramatically. There are very few segments left in our society that have not been affected by computers or the Internet. Education, politics, finance, health and human services, employment, religion and government are all heavily reliant on these new technologies. Think about it, when was the last time you called any major company, public utility, or government agency and had a live person answer your call? How often, when seeking information on a business or agency, are you directed to visit their website? What company or agency doesn’t have an e-mail address these days? Increased use of these new forms of communication will mean that those who do not have access to them will be left out. Those on the wrong side of the divide will be left out on gaining information on education, health, job opportunities, finances, politics and current events.

Our new feature in Point of View will seek to become a resource for bridging the gap between the digital “have and have nots." In the coming issues we will bring you features that will highlight some of the best things these new technologies have to offer. We will feature articles on how to access the Internet and where to go once you are there. We will also provide information on buying and upgrading computers, purchasing monitors, printers, speakers and software programs. Our articles will also cover some of the other computer related products that are becoming more commonplace every day. Digital cameras, scanners, mp3 players, LCD monitors and PDA’s will all be explained and discussed in upcoming issues. We invite you to join us in the coming months as we seek to provide you with a path in your journey “Across the Digital Divide.” n