Seen in a newsletter: DC Needs Digital Equity NOW!

[Kevin Cole]

Hi all,

Related to the recent discussions at the monthly members meetings, this timely tidbit just showed up on a neighborhood mailing list:

DC Needs Digital Equity NOW! 

CNHED, Byte Back, and our partners need your help NOW to ensure that all DC residents, regardless of income or race, have fair access to digital tools and education. 

The pandemic has only widened the digital divide. With your help and your pledge, we can create a District where residents can:

• Apply for jobs

• Assist their children with online learning or homework

• Receive tele-health services and sign up for vaccine appointments

• Engage safely with family, friends, small businesses and their greater communities 

 

36,460 DC households lack an internet subscription, including more than 50% of households in Wards 7 & 8 

16,288 DC households do not have a computer 

Will you take the pledge to stand with us, as we fight for equal and affordable access to high-speed internet, technology devices such as laptops, computers and training for underserved communities? 

Take The Pledge Now
[https://p2a.co/scnqkbf]

What Does It Mean to Pledge? 

This spring, we will ask that advocates unite to promote digital equity in the FY2022 District Budget. What that looks like will be different for everyone - sign an official petition, help spread the word, write or send a letter, attend an advocacy day, or even testify before the DC Council - it’s up to you.

[Bobby Baum]

Fine - let's actually do something about the problem - check out,
repair, & rebuild computers & help set up a mesh network for those
without digital access - rather than engage in politicking.

[Martin]

https://redhookwifi.org/

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[pste...@gwi.net]

Why not do both?  For the moment, we live in a democracy.  Politicking -- persuasion and negotiation -- is exactly the mechanism by which it works.  In many other countries, it is literally unsafe even to do so.  Use it or lose it.  


I say work the problem from any angle that is available.  The approach you suggest, Bobby, is the one I favor, but much of our present-day ethos is to let things fall apart, and I think that is a mistake.

[Ethan O'Toole]

Who doesn't have access to computers? Public libraries are net cafes
pretty much at this point?

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: Ethan O'Toole

[Kevin Cole]

On Thu, Apr 22, 2021 at 4:36 PM Martin <dcmk...@gmail.com> wrote:

https://redhookwifi.org/

On Thu, Apr 22, 2021 at 1:26 PM Bobby Baum <gip...@gmail.com> wrote:

Fine - let's actually do something about the problem - check out,
repair, & rebuild computers & help set up a mesh network for those
without digital access - rather than engage in politicking.

Thanks.

Also in DC, ages ago...

https://www.newamerica.org/oti/blog/washington-dc-broadband-bridge-regains-momentum/

(There was a lot of energy in the at the time, but I don't know where all the proponents have gotten to.)

[Martin]

This has been huge https://fixitclinic.blogspot.com/p/bring-your-broken-non-functioning.html

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