Internet for Everyone

I just came from the NC town hall meeting with Internet for Everyone in Durham. It was an amazing day. I talked with new friends and colleagues from very diverse corners of the Digital Divide issue. I listened to stories and told my own.

We heard the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of the NC NAACP State Conference Branch speak about the nature of the Digital Divide and a proposal for its immediate closure. We simply change the password, he said! The password, of course, is "everyone" ... if any entity wants to draft a policy or implement an initiative, they have to be able to provide the correct password. Or access is denied.

When the notes from the meeting are compiled and distributed, I'll share them here. The bottom line of the day is that we all agreed ... community technology is the economic stimulus that can put our globe into the realm of sustainability on so many levels. It is the educational reform that will save our children and it is the legislative priority that will bring the healing of digital equity and social justice to disenfranchised and underserved communities.

I never pass up an opportunity to quote Curtis Mayfield. "People get ready ..."