Hispanics need better broadband access, forum speaker says

POSTED ON Friday, October 16, 2009 AT 11:07PM

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Hispanics need better broadband access, forum speaker says

By MAI HOANG
Yakima Herald-Republic

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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."

Posted by Nick at 10/17/09 04:40AM Post ID#: #15434

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

And with that admission, WHY DO OUR POLITICIANS CONTINUE TO BE DEAF AND DUMB ON THIS SUBJECT?

I know the real answers - there are two basic ones that create a "bipartisan" drive by our politicians and a few bleeding heart liberals for so-called "reform", which really means mass amnesty for about 35 million felons. That, plus rewards of U.S. citizenship for their trouble of having to sneak into our country ahead of LEGAL immigrants, and strip our social welfare infrastructures after they do.

!.) SOME REPUBLICANS WANT CHEAP LABOR AT WAGE RATES BELOW A LIVING WAGE, THAT IS CONTINUALLY SUBSIDIZED BY THE TAXPAYERS BY PROVIDING MANY FREE SERVICES THAT ARE MEANT FOR CITIZENS ONLY WHILE THE ILLEGALS SEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS PER YEAR OUT OF THE COUNTRY TO BE SPENT IN THEIR HOMELANDS.

2.) SOME DEMOCRATS WANT EASY, GUARANTEED VOTES, IN ADDITION TO THE CHEAP LABOR FOR THEIR BUSINESSES TOO.

We, who have thought this situation through completely, are tired of these hidden taxpayer subsidies to a relative few businesses. Any possible benefits from the use of illegal labor, (these comments do NOT include guest workers that have been documented for TEMPORARY labor and admitted LEGALLY) are offset by their additional cost to the general public for the free services they get here, many of which are also illegal and meant only for citizens. The use of illegal workers provides those businesses with an UNFAIR PROFIT ADVANTAGE over HONEST BUSINESS PEOPLE who hire citizens and legal guest workers.

NOW THE pro-illegal crowd,is DEMANDING FREE TAXPAYER-FINANCED INTERNET SERVICES, which I suppose, they will claim as a civil right for their criminal bretheren. I have a better, more simple answer to those who are illegal, which means about 75% of them - "GO BACK HOME and get in line".