Voice from the South by LaMont “Montee” Evans
We need to unite our HIV/AIDS efforts for people on-line and off
Photo courtesy freepixels.com
As we approach HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment in the rural areas of the South and metropolitan cities, access to technology must be considered. According to an article titled, “Digital Divide,” the Internet has placed knowledge and power in the hands of the people. But this shift has not empowered equally—America’s disadvantaged have been abandoned, further deepening social divides.
While many are maximizing the use of technology to make their work easier and expand their reach via texting, Tweeting, and Facebooking; there are many left behind due to access and affordability. From a regional perspective, the rural South does far worse. Only 46.4 percent of rural Southerners have Internet access at home, making the rural South the only part of the U.S. to see in-home Internet usage rates of less than fifty percent.
This translates into limited access to pertinent information being conveyed on-line only and for those without the means of purchasing this technology, they are cut-off from real-time information, resources, and connecting with others who have similar health challenges and/or needs.
However, we cannot ignore the breakdown within urban environments, either. According to this same report, minorities have lower access to the Internet than whites. The demographic profile of those on-line in the United States is seventy-two percent white, fifty-seven percent Hispanic, and fifty-five percent Black.
In the early days of HIV/AIDS, we beat the streets passing out information about HIV/AIDS and STDs, where services could be accessed, and so much more. We are challenged today with figuring out who is on-line and how we can reach them. This is a problem many rural areas of the South are dealing with. Technology is moving so fast that is has literally left many behind.
The Internet is more than Facebook, Google+, and YouTube. Many Web sites have important and useful information for those putting themselves at risk to find local resources immediately and those living with HIV/AIDS to learn about new research, clinical trial studies, and what’s happening in their community.
Depending on the time of day, if you go to any public library that provides Internet access, you will notice a long line of individuals waiting to get on-line and connect. I am amazed at the patience of some people waiting hours just to be on-line for one hour and go back into rotation again. This is a new place for community-based organizations and outreach coordinators to consider when distributing printed information. We have to meet people where they are, whether it is on-line or off-line.
Some of our organizations can set up computer islands for clients to use, access information, and print out materials. However, the basic workings of a computer, and familiarizing those who have never been on-line with the process, is important. We cannot assume that those coming into our service spaces know what “www” means; some of them fear not knowing, so they go along to get along and remain trapped in not knowing how to access, where to go, or even being asked if they have access.
Walt Disney was a man with astonishing vision and, in creating the magical movies, he used four separate rooms to bring his fantasy to life. Wonderful and fascinating ideas were initiated in a room fittingly called “The Dream Room.” Next they would move to “The Reality Room,” a very basic room with lots of story boards and notes attached to the walls. Here they put together the details and structure of the story. Moving to “The Merlin Room,” which worked backwards, they would start with the ending and add the reality to it. Finally in a grey dour room, they would meet to discuss problems and issues with the story before moving to completion. All obstacles would be overcome in “The Sweat Room.” Back together in the Dream Room and the magic of Walt Disney and his team came to life.
As we continue to develop awesome programs and services, let’s not forget those who are not on-line, those wishing they knew where to go on-line for information, and praying for an answer to a critical question about risk or treatment. We must go into our four rooms and envision how technology can help us turn this epidemic around in the South.
To read “Digital Divide: If You’re Reading This, You’re One of the Lucky Ones,” by Charlie White, in full, log on to http://mashable.com/
2012/02/05/digital-divide-infographic/.
LaMont “Montee” Evans is the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Black Communities, Inc. an international health education and disease prevention community organization based in Atlanta, Georgia. He provides community mobilization and leadership development to nonprofits around health disparities, including HIV/AIDS.
