By Megha Goel Michelle’s school expects her to finish her five page quarantine assignment on her smartphone. Her mother cannot access the telehealth service to manage her diabetes, and her […]
By Megha Goel
Michelle’s school expects her to finish her five page quarantine assignment on her smartphone. Her mother cannot access the telehealth service to manage her diabetes, and her brother is struggling to fill out job applications online.
Michelle is among the roughly 21 million Americans who lack high-speed internet access. In Ohio, only 47.7% of residents have access to low priced internet plans. Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD) includes 38,000 school students and 27,000 families out of which an astounding 40 percent do not have access to broadband internet. Two-thirds of the students do not have any e-learning devices. Education, jobs, medical care, and government services carried out in person before the pandemic have been turned over to the web, exposing a deep split between the internet haves and have-nots. To discuss this persistent digital inequality, EYEJ Speaks featured an incredible panel of educators, youth, thought leaders, and community residents in its last two episodes(July 30 and August 6), entitled Connectivity. The conversations explored the dynamics of digital exclusion, the implications for countless Cleveland residents, and innovations that lower the bar for entry into the digital age with technology for disconnected communities.
It’s hard to talk about Digital Redlining without talking about connectivity. In Cleveland, people have telephone access, data access on phones, some form of internet access at home, and other kinds of access at school or work. To be digitally connected is to communicate, learn new skills, and perform daily activities, giving the youth equal opportunities to grow economically.
The digital divide and redlining issues have to do with inequities in people’s ability to have and use those different connectivities for the things we need to do in our lives. Redlining is a historical practice of banks and insurance companies, geographically discriminating amongst people; in the ability to get conventional loans, insurance and sell, buy, or insure houses. It’s the connection between discrimination and geography. Bill Callahan, Research and Policy Director for the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, points out his research report on AT&T’s discrimination against lower-income urban neighborhoods in the deployment of its standard fiber-enhanced broadband service. He shares, “The major reason people do not have access to the internet in Cleveland is ‘cost’. It’s the connection between having and coming with $70 a month. It’s more than most people’s electric bills. It’s a significant addition to people’s budget.” Additionally, Phill Althouse from Legal Aid Society of Cleveland shares, “There is a gap between households within the city of Cleveland based on economic status; 53,000 houses do not have internet access while they might have cable & cell phone access. TVs cannot help with remote learning, nor can cell phones replace a PC.”
Mai Moore says, “The focus of connectivity came from COVID-19; listening to what was happening in the community and with our youth from YODJ and listening to what the EYEJ Youth Council wanted to focus on.” She said connectivity became the new strategy for EYEJ as the organization pivoted direction to respond to the pandemic, and it meant directing efforts towards two things: increasing the connection between people and reducing the Digital Divide. It’s interesting to consider that the mission for the non-profit has always been about connectivity from the very inception.
This issue of connectivity deeply intervenes with the inequality that exists in America. Chantal Brown, a member of the Youth Council, shares, “The Youth Council has put a lot of time [deciding] what we want to focus on [for] the next social justice initiative. We wanted to choose a relevant issue, that people wouldn’t have any political argument with. While there are issues like police brutality which are also relevant, there are complications with that… The digital divide is a major issue. It affects all of us and our siblings, especially now. A lot of us are in school right now. The ability to get devices and connect with our teachers would help.”
Delaney Jones best concluded the discussion, “We can’t move forward as a society until we allow all our citizens to take part in the society which is mostly online now…This needs to be a community-led solution, so people must know the work we are doing and get involved. The biggest thing that young people can do to contribute is to speak to your local elected officials. Let them know that you recognize how much of a problem this is and that we need an URGENT solution before the kids resume school again in the fall.”
To watch the episodes of EYEJ Speaks on Connectivity from July 30 and August 6, visit our Facebook page. Be sure to comment on the program and let us know how connectivity is impacting your community. We would love to thank the incredible panelists from both the episodes who donated their time and thought leadership for our virtual series.
Moderated by Kenyatta Skyles, the first episode (July 30) on Connectivity included insights from:
The watch party on August 6, moderated by Tara Tadimalla, included insights from:
Disclaimer of Liability
With regard to any information presented at any EYEJ event, EYEJ does not make any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, and specifically disclaims any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, service or process presented and makes no representation that its use would not infringe upon privately owned rights.
Disclaimer of Endorsement
The presence of a commercial vendor at a EYEJ event, and the presentation by any vendor of any information regarding any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply EYEJs'' endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of such item or organization.
Any such material presented by any vendor in any format, without limitation, is for informational purposes only. Any potential customer of any vendor, who is present at a EYEJ event, is expected to conduct their own due diligence and assessment of the vendor, product, or services as appropriate for their needs.