Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

Wired Less: Disconnected in Urban America
Bill Quigley
15 Apr 2009
🖨️ Print Article

by InternetForEveryone.org

Comcast, Verizon, AT&T and other telco giants have spent mad public relations money spreading the myth that the digital divide is a thing of the past.  Some heedless and lazy black bloggers have helped spread this lie, but it's still a lie.  Redlining of and denial of service to poor and minority communities has been a core feature of the business models of the cable industry since its start decades ago, and of the phone companies for more than a century.  But in the 21st century, cheap, available broadband internet is as necessary to economic development as paved streets and roads.  Communities without it will become or remain economic, educational, business and social backwaters.

See, hear and read more stories about the digital divide and what it costs communities, families and lives....

 

America Offline

InternetforEveryone.org is working to shed light on the millions of Americans who live without regular Internet access or lack the training or equipment to get online. A small reporting team is traveling to communities across the country to tell people's stories. Free Press' Megan Tady interviewed residents of Los Angeles, Calif., and Washington, D.C. On this site, you can follow our trek and get an up-close view of America’s urban digital divide

Wired Less: Disconnected in Urban America

A report on life without the Internet in urban Americ.  Five stories, each with video. »

  • Introduction
  • Story One: Offline in L.A.
  • Story Two: A Connection Changes Family’s World
  • Story Three: In Desperate Need of the Net in El Monte
  • Story Four: D.C. Kids Want Internet
  • Story Five: Left Out in the Cold in D.C.

 

The web site of Internet For Everyone contains much more information, and is a frequently updated source of information on the campaign to bring high speed broadband to all our communities.  Do check it out.  If you have a web site or blog, link to it at http://www.internetforeveryone.org/.

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


More Stories


  • Ramzy Baroud
    Solidarity Is Not Enough
    19 Aug 2026
    Why the world must force accountability on Gaza now.
  • Hedelberto López Blanch
    A Shady Figure Will Preside Over Colombia
    19 Aug 2026
    Colombia's new president has ties to paramilitaries and drug traffickers, but Trump's endorsement swept his crimes aside as he embraces Washington's agenda, including enhancing relations with Israel…
  • Luis Britto García
    Venezuela Is Not Iran
    19 Aug 2026
    Venezuela is not Iran or Cuba, but those nations teach us that sovereignty is not given but is obtained through resistance. Venezuela must forge its own path toward sovereignty.
  • Natalia Junquera , Elena Reina
    Fergie Chambers, the Millionaire Activist Arrested in Ibiza: “I am a human rights advocate”
    19 Aug 2026
    The American's lawyers, led by Baltasar Garzón, denounce a "political persecution" by Trump for his support of Palestine. The government will have to decide whether to extradite him.
  • x
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Racist Policies End TPS and Criminalize Haitian Immigrants
    14 Aug 2026
    The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration cancellation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 350,000 Haitians in the U.S. TPS holders can no longer work legally, are…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us