Archive for the 'Race' Category

Digital Divide

Published
by
Paul
on 16 October 2003
in Race
. 0 Comments

BBC NEWS | Education | Digital divide ‘hits black families’

Warwick University researcher Dr David Owen said: “Some people are being left behind, with our increasing reliance on information technology.

“We need further research into this, so we can conquer what has become known as the digital divide.”

The survey, of 1,585 households in deprived areas, found that 37% of white families owned computers, compared with 31% of black families.

The figure among Asian families was 42%, but this group was less likely than others to use the internet.

The overall proportion of UK families owning a computer was 50% in 2001, according to government figures.

The report, commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills, comes as the government is encouraging more people to learn how to use computers.

Technology as in other areas, suffers from division in society. Inequality in terms of access to PCs, the Internet (and presumably broadband although its not mentioned) and to online government services. In some respects the eGovernment initiative is looking to target just this segment of the population. Its quite clearly failing and hopefully this survey will be a step to addressing such issues. I wonder how many have access to digital interactive TV or Mobile phones?

Britain’s first Black footballer

Published
by
Paul
on 15 July 2003
in Football and Race
. 0 Comments

BBC NEWS | England | Lancashire | Star honoured at football museum

The exhibition detailing the life and career of Arthur Wharton is due to be opened on Tuesday by Viv Anderson - the first black player to be a full member of the England squad.

Wharton was one of the leading goalkeepers of his time, in a career which spanned 16 years between 1886 and 1902.

I thought I would blog this because it outlines something interesting about Britain. Arthur Wharton played football over 100 years ago. This is the first I’ve ever heard of him.

And like the article says,

The museum’s curator Mark Bushell said: “Many people think black players only began to play the game in this country in the 1960s and 70s.

I didn’t but then I happen to have studied some history and sociology. Its amazing that this guy should have played for England given his ability but was denied because of his colour.

We tend to be rather colour blind when it comes to history of Britain and forget that not all major contributions are from those of us with pinkish white skin colour.

Congratulations to the National Football Museum for finally reminding us.