Hispanics need better broadband access, forum speaker says

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Michael L. Barrera initially gave encouraging words about the Hispanic community during his speech Friday at the Yakima Convention Center.

Hispanics spend more than $1 trillion a year and run about 3 million small businesses.

"This is all great news," said Barrera, former president and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and president of the National Hispanic Business Information Clearinghouse, which provides a bilingual Web site with resources to help emerging Hispanic-owned businesses succeed.

"(But) are we where we want to be politically, socially and economically?" he asked the audience of about 150 people.

And one thing, Barrera said following the rhetorical question, that's keeping the Hispanic community from advancing to the next level is insufficient broadband Internet access.

The "Hispanics and The Internet: How Do We Get Our Community Connected?" program, which was co-hosted by the Central Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Pacific Technology Alliance, featured Barrera's as the keynote speaker.

The forum also included a presentation by the Students in Free Enterprise at Heritage University, and a panel discussion among state and local leaders on connectivity among Yakima Valley Hispanics.

Barrera said only 56 percent of Hispanics nationwide have Internet access, comparing that number to 71 percent in the white community. He also said only 29 percent of Hispanics with Internet access have broadband, which provides the speeds necessary for many online applications and Web sites.

About 90 percent of Hispanic college graduates and 70 percent of Hispanic high school graduates use the Internet, matching the overall average for those groups.

But the Hispanic community nationwide has a 40 percent school dropout rate and less than 10 percent of Hispanic students have a college degree.

And a lack of connectivity, Barrera said, could reduce the community's impact on a variety of local and national issues.

Barrera pointed to immigration reform, to provide an example.

While marches may gain attention initially, it may prove ineffective as anti-immigration reform proponents keep sending e-mail and other electronic communication to their local representatives in Washington, he said.

During those marches, the e-mails against reform outranked the ones for it 10 to 1.

During the panel discussion, several speakers also encouraged audience members to voice their desires for $7.2 billion designated in the nationwide stimulus plan for the installation of new broadband Internet access.

"The demand is there; the time is right," said Monica Babine, senior associate for Telework at Washington State University and one of the panelists.

Barrera also emphasized personal responsibility. He asked each audience member to educate family and friends about the importance of using the Internet and their opportunity to help advance themselves, the Hispanic community, and the community at large.

That's especially important given the growing Hispanic populations in areas like Yakima County. The county is more than 41 percent Hispanic.

"You have a responsibility to your city, your county and your country," he said. "If you don't become better connected, you don't only hurt yourself, you hurt your country."