We
are at a critical juncture in the transformation of society. As
social, political and economic institutions are becoming
exclusively digital, a new inequality is forming around existing
injustices. People already disadvantaged by multiple systematic
inequalities now face digital inequality. A non-segregated Digital
Nation can only emerge if all citizens have the skills and resources
necessary to participate fully in ICT.
Locally, there is a digital
divide running along education, gender, race, and class lines.
Because
hair salons and barbershops are central institutions in the black
community and sites of cultural production, these institutions can be
at the forefront of the digital revolution. Hair shops can be
part of
the process of mobilizing communities around ICT and empowering people
to participate in a Digital Nation.
The image below
is a map of Champaign-Urbana. The sections in yellow are census
blocks that are considered 'underserved' by broadband internet
connectivity. In each of these yellow areas, less than 40% of
households have adopted broadband internet. 56% of the Black hair
care institutions in Champaign-Urbana are located in the underserved
census blocks.
Champaign Urbana Hair Care Institutions
1. A Cut Above
the Rest
2. Dottie's
3. G & R
Hair Salon Barber Shop
4. Jazzie Looks
5. Just B Cause
6. Les Cheveux
Gallery
7. Locks of Glory
8. Mirror Image
Hair Studio
9. North 1st
Street Barber
10. Razzberry
Hair Studio
11. Rose &
Taylor
12. Sister Curls
13. Trendsetters
14. Whip Hair
Designs
15. Sheer Images
Additional Resources on the
Digital Divide
Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/
Funded at $4.7 billion, BTOP provides grants to support the
deployment
of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas, to
enhance broadband capacity at public computer centers, and to encourage
sustainable adoption of broadband service. Through this support, BTOP
will also advance the Recovery Act’s objectives to spur job creation
and stimulate long-term economic growth and opportunity.
The Urbana-Champaign Big Broadband
Proposal
https://wiki.cites.uiuc.edu/wiki/display/bac/UC2B;jsessionid=FA8FAA699EC00F174D5098ECC1F0E9C0
Read the Urbana-Champaign BTOP proposal! This pages on this
website describe the major projects that will be implemented (both
above and below ground) to bring big broadband internet connectivity to
locally underserved areas.
Digital Divide- The Pew Research
Center's Internet and American Life Project
http://www.pewinternet.org/topics/Digital-Divide.aspx
This independent non-partisan research center has the most recent
statistics regarding intenet connectivity among the American
population. Additionally, this site links current articles and
the most recent research on the digital divide.
