Race, Class & the Digital Divide:
By Cindy Chew

Introduction

Politicians, policymakers and civic groups in minority communities are taking steps to bridge the digital divide.

Politicians, policymakers and civic groups in minority communities are taking steps to bring computer know-how to the have-nots on the more barren side of the digital divide.

True, the rate at which households in underserved communities have installed computers and hooked up to the Internet has increased substantially over the past six years. But, "there still is a major divide in terms of the quality of the experience," said Adam Skaggs, director of after-school programs for Libraries for the Future.

"Groups of less income have as much right to a high quality experience with this technology as groups who have this experience," he said. "So we're trying to teach kids all the technology skills that will enable them to participate as fully as they can in this new economy."