Recently in African American Category
On this day, 40 years ago we lost a Dreamer. Fortunately for all of us his
legacy lives on.
Dr. King (Memphis - April 3, 1968)
The
Martin
Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
BlackRefer.com
Seemingly overnight, all of our lives have been changed by the wireless boom. Voice, data, along with video demand and access are all the rage now. It has quickly become a need not a want. The short period of time that this transformation has occurred has been remarkable.
Wireless technology has been absolutely essential to the growth of the use and access within minority communities. The concerns over such issues are major concerns for both our nations' technical and economic growth.
A recent Pew Research Study titled "Seeding The Cloud: What Mobile Access Means for Usage Patterns and Online Content" states that, "Mobile access builds on the cell phone, a device that is easier to use and more affordable than a computer . . . cell phone users are more likely to be found in groups that have generally lagged in internet adoption, such as senior citizens, blacks, and Latinos." For many folks, their access to the internet is through the cell phone or other wireless devices.
The Pew study also notes that the pattern of use is more profound than how the internet is accessed. They study finds that "for use of non-voice data applications on handhelds, Hispanics and African Americans lead the way relative to white Americans. Half of African Americans and 56% of English-speaking Latinos with cell phones, on a typical day, do at least one of 10 non-voice data applications such as taking pictures, accessing the internet for news, playing music, or texting. By contrast, 38% of whites do these kinds of activities on a wireless handheld device on the average day."
It seems very clear that the potential growth for wireless companies in these markets will impact their business decisions. If they fail to address or reach out to these communities and potential new customers, they will suffer. There is also great potential to address the issues on how to make the internet and all of this new technology readily available to everyone.
Wireless technology has the potential to even the technology gap. This is what's so exciting about the possibilities of this new wireless world. As in the past, we believe that what brings us together will be something that we can see and feel.
So it is very ironic that the thing that may tie us all together is a technology that is not visible or tangible. Just think about it, there is a real chance that wireless technology will bring together not only our nation, but our world together.
BlackRefer.com
With technology changing everyday all business models are forced to change with the times. Listening to that audio book is now even easier.
Just look at: Publishers phase out piracy protection on audio books
BlackRefer.com
A little more than a year ago, one of America's most respected
research organizations found that African-Americans had signed up for
high-speed Internet service at rates that almost tripled from the previous two
years. The report by the
The Pew study found that Home high-speed Internet usage among African-Americans is now roughly equivalent to the rate for whites in 2006. There has been great change, but there is still much work to be done.
In our community, there is a dedicated effort to make sure
our folks are not left out of the technology universe. Folks are now very
aware of the importance of being wired to the internet. They realize it is necessary both
economically and socially. For instance, the majority of black-owned
businesses, according to our latest U.S. Census figures are ran out of the
homes of these business owners. Their success or their failures can
easily be based on the availability of high-speed internet connection. As
we move into the future and more African-Americans sign on for high-speed
connections, it will almost inevitably mean more business opportunities for
these forward thinking entrepreneurs.
On the educational front, it also mandatory that the young people in our community have access to and are afforded every opportunity to succeed in our fast moving and expanding technical world. Their future success is linked to the viability and growth of not only their community, but our nation as a whole.
The high-speed connections have also opened up a world of
opportunities for families such as telecommuting, enjoying sports and other
streamed entertainment, distance education, and video chatting with friends
across the country.
So what caused the dramatic turn-around? One answer is the growing competition among wireless, telephone and cable providers has forced prices down and spurred new deployment into historically under served areas. Just look at the cost of DSL prices today. They are as low as $15 per month in many areas. Back in 1999, the same service cost $60 per month or more.
For many African-American families, this cost savings is
literally the difference between being a part of the 21st century -
with all its economic potential - and being left on the sidelines.
Another answer: The concern that African American community not be left behind on issues of technology. There is a very real commitment from every section of the community to do even more. There is a need, and folks are working hard to make sure those needs are being met. Our young people deserve nothing less.
So much is going in the right direction. The
inevitable question has to be: How can we keep this progress going?
First, the competition that brought down prices and spurred deployment must continue.
Nothing should be allowed to interfere with this, especially if it causes
prices to rise.
Second, Congress should strongly oppose efforts by some online companies to pass Net neutrality regulation. Net neutrality is a legal loophole that will allow huge corporations such as Google and Amazon to avoid paying the full cost of their Internet access. But if that happens, then the prices rise for everyone else. This will directly place African-Americans' hard won online success at risk.
Everyone would agree that the Internet should always be free
and open, and everyone who uses it should be able to surf the net to get
anything they want.
For the African-American community, the issues are real and straight forward. The entire community is fully committed to pushing forward with the progress that has been made. The internet has made education and economic possibilities limitless, and the long term benefits to both the African American community and our nation are too great for any of us to ignore or not support.
African-Americans and the Internet - Yahoo News
BlackRefer.com
