[ [link removed] ]An image of hands holding smartphones with broadbills displayed from
different states with different prices.

John, 

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, many people must work from home and
many children must use online learning to keep up with their schooling.
The need for affordable and fast internet has never been greater. However,
historical injustices continue to deny Black families from this critical
utility. 

Despite the great need for excellent internet access, there are several
states facing restrictions to affordable and fast internet at home.^1
These restrictions are known as digital redlining, a term that stems from
the state-sponsored segregation of Black people that excluded us from
mortgages, and prevented home ownership and the accumulation of
generational wealth.^2 Internet service providers (ISPs), such as Xfinity
from Comcast or Verizon Fios, do not invest in historically redlined areas
under the excuse that they are not profitable.^3 Meanwhile, ISPs raked in
billions in revenue during the pandemic.^4,5 

Digital redlining has given rise to racial disparities: where 8.7% of
Black Americans with computers do not have access to internet services.
This disparity is even starker in the Black rural South where 17.1% of
Black Americans with computers do not have access to internet services,
while this is true for only 11.3% of white Americans.^6 Even with access,
those who do not have options between ISPs end up paying more for internet
services; a recent study by Consumer Reports indicates that the median
monthly broadband bill for areas with only one provider is about $75,
while the cost for areas with a choice of three providers drops to $68.^7 

Digital redlining is further exacerbating economic injustices. Without
internet access, Black people cannot gain access to opportunities like the
ability to search and apply for jobs online, pay bills online, or schedule
appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations. 

You can help put an end to digital redlining. Color Of Change has
partnered with Consumer Reports to investigate the racial disparities
caused by digital redlining. All you have to do is upload your broadband
bill, which will take just about 7 minutes of your time. By collecting
more information on what communities are paying for internet, we will be
better able to advocate for fast and affordable broadband. 

[ [link removed] ]A step-by-step guide to upload your broadband bill. Step 1, download
your broadband bill as a pdf. Step 2, go to the Consumer Reports website.
Step 3, follow the directions on the Consumer Reports website.

The future of fast and affordable broadband could mean pushing legislators
to treat internet service as a utility, like electricity or gas. But we
need your help to get there. Upload your broadband bill below and/or help
sustain our fight against digital redlining.

[ [link removed] ]CLICK HERE TO START

Until justice is real, 
Jade Magnus Ogunnaike and the Color Of Change team 

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References: 

 1. Tyler Cooper, “Municipal Broadband Is Restricted in 18 States Across
the U.S. in 2021,” BroadbandNow, May 3, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 2. Camila Domonoske, “Interactive Redlining Map Zooms In on America’s
History of Discrimination,” NPR, October 19, 2016,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 3. Shara Tibken, “The broadband gap’s dirty secret: Redlining still
exists in digital form,” CNET, June 28, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 4. “Charter Communications,” Fortune, August 2, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 5. Lillian Rizzo, “Comcast’s Profit Soars Amid Broadband, Wireless
Growth,” The Wall Street Journal, April 29, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 6. Dominique Harrison, “Expanding Broadband in the Black Rural South,”
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, July 9, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed] 
 7. James K. Willcox, “Millions of Americans Lack Fast Internet Service,
CR Survey Shows,” Consumer Reports, August 10, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed] 


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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please
help keep our movement strong.

[ [link removed] ]Make a Donation

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