A 1989 Bureau of the Census study on computer use and ownership showed that overall numbers were on the rise. However, use and ownership among African-Americans was significantly lower. The report states that 18.3 percent of Whites used computers at home, compared to 8.4 percent of Blacks. In school usage, the numbers for Black children was higher, 35.1 percent but still lower than the numbers for White children, 48.2 percent. These numbers have certainly increased since the report was released but there is still concern.
"Access is the key word," says Don Coleman, Chairman of the computer science department at HOWARD UNIVERSITY a predominately Black college in Washington D.C. "Access is not generally available to the black community and a lot of that is economic."
According to the 1990 census, one third of African-Americans lived in poverty.
But hope is not lost. There is clear evidence that those with access are taking full advantage and creating their own lanes along the information superhighway.
Several Usenet newsgroups, such as SOCIAL.CULTURE.AFRICAN.AMERICAN, receive hundreds of posts daily on numerous topics ranging from the recent Bell Curve controversy to hairstyles and recent movies.
"I think there will be a time when everybody's on line," says Jimmie Davies, creator of MacMasters Computer Training Services in Newport News, VA who recently created his own network for African-Americans.
"I compare it to television," says Davies. "When the first tv came out, I'm sure it wasn't all black families that ran out and bought one, now everybody has one," Davies said adding that more people will get on line as prices continue to drop.
Davies, a 40-year-old former janiter became hooked on computers less than a decade ago after a friend showed him how to use a MacIntosh. He created the African-American Information Network which premiered on Apple's eWorld this month. Davies says AAIN will be vastly different from what is on line now.
"We're trying to put a lot of information out there," says Davies who did a little research and discovered that none of the major bulletin board services contained a dedicated forum that catered to the interest of the African-American community.
"AAIN will provide information on education, civic organizations, religion, press organizations, fraternities and sororities, sports and entertainment, just to name a few," Davies said chuckling heartily. There will also be a live chat session once a week as well as a computer expert, clinical psychologist and minister on line.
Davies admits access for many Blacks is a problem but he is also trying to combat that problem.
"We are looking for any company that has old equipment, which isn't being used, to donate it to us so we can distribute it to Black churches and schools so that kids without access to the superhighway can have it," says Davies.
In order to keep the equipment, each community will be responsible for regular reports about what is going on in their particular community. "That way they will learn about the computer as well as their communities," says Davies.
AAIN is currently only available to Macintosh users with eWorld. Windows users will have access in 1995. But there are still many options waiting to be explored.
Michael Holman, who runs a bulletin board called Holman's World Ministries which includes many Black topics, notes that commercial services are tapping into Black culture and forming a number of on line forums.
o Compuserve has The Afro-American Cultures & Arts Forum, sponsored by the creators of American Visions magazine o Compuserve also have a forum called Go Afro o AfroNet is a network formed by a number of AA oriented bulletin boards
In addition, there are numerous topics to be explored on the World Wide Web.
o The LIBRARY OF CONGRESS has documented 500 years of the Black experience complete with text and paintings o Arthur McGee has created BLACK/AFRICAN INTERNET RESOURCES, a list of over 170 related topics. o VIBE MAGAZINE is on line o VISIT AFRICA IN CYBERSPACE is a fascinating way to see and learn about Africa o Try Shona Sculpture for a look at Zimbabwe art. o Or take a look at the latest news on the RWANDA CRISIS
With more roads opening up everyday for African-Americans on line there are increasing chances that the statistics will improve over the next several years. In fact, according to advocates, there is a very bright future ahead.
"We're never right at the cutting eduge but we are not that far behind either," says Coleman who says his entire family has become addicted to the Internet.
Davies looks at the future in a historical context, which he uses to encourage African-Americans to interact on line.
"It wasn't until the 1840's that information became available to people, which was when the Civil War started," says Davies. "Then with the introduction of radio and television we had the Civil Rights movement in the late 50's, early 60's," he continued.
"Once information is moved, it has a direct impact on peoples lives and their history, the information superhighway will have the same effect," says Davies who says he has seen computer usage grow tremendously in the last several years.
"We have great potential to network and do other things out there and it will be amazing," says Davies energetically. "Just turn on your computer and watch, we definitately won't be roadkill."