So yesterday, I saw this really interesting article by a nice white middle class man role-playing a poor black kid. According to him, technology has given poor black kids more opportunity than they would ordinarily get and if they just work hard, they would succeed*. I somewhat agree. Infact, I think this is admirable and most of the responses claiming racism are pretty silly in my opinion.
You see, the trouble with his analysis isn't so much that its racist, or presumptous or even wrong. It is just that it is impossible.
Why?
Let's review the "free education" he imagines technology has delivered us.
First impossible recommendation. If I was a poor black kid, I would buy a computer.
I know a few school teachers and they tell me that many inner city parents usually have or can afford cheap computers and internet service nowadays. That because (and sadly) it’s oftentimes a necessary thing to keep their kids safe at home then on the streets. And libraries and schools have computers available too. Computers can be purchased cheaply at outlets like TigerDirect and Dell’s Outlet. Professional organizations like accountants and architects often offer used computers from their members, sometimes at no cost at all.
He doesn't link to any of the free programs he suggests so I am going disregard that. Libraries have limited resources which are getting cut so disregard that. Cheapest computer in the two sites he recommends is $200 + tax.
Second recommendation, if I were a poor black kid, I'ld use free technology (on the paid internet)
If I was a poor black kid I’d use the free technology available to help me study. I’d become expert at Google Scholar. I’d visit study sites like SparkNotes andCliffsNotes to help me understand books. I’d watch relevant teachings onAcademic Earth, TED and the Khan Academy. (I say relevant because some of these lectures may not be related to my work or too advanced for my age. But there are plenty of videos on these sites that are suitable to my studies and would help me stand out.) I would also, when possible, get my books for free at Project Gutenberg and learn how to do research at the CIA World Factbook and Wikipedia to help me with my studies.
Internet with reliable enough internet to watch videos and download books would be about $30 a month. So that totals $360 for the year.
I would use homework tools like Backpack, and Diigo to help me store and share my work with other classmates. I would use Skype to study with other students who also want to do well in my school. I would take advantage of study websites like Evernote, Study Rails, Flashcard Machine, Quizlet, and free online calculators.
Now here is for the "free" tools for homework! :)
Backpack : $24 a month -> $288 a year!
Studyrails : $5 a month -> $60 a year
Diigo : $40 a year
Altogether : $388 a year
Let's go back to the beginning :
$200 (+tax) + $360 + $388 = $948
For all purposes, let's just call that $1,000 a year, that this poor black kid has to churn up every year. About $3 a day.
According to the census bureau, average income of a family of four in the inner city is $22,350. Divide that by four = $5,587. That breaks down into $15 they must live on a day.
So this is what actor white boy is saying.
If I were a poor black kid, I would pay a 20% tax to have a chance at life.**
Just to recap:
"Cheap" Laptop computer : $200 (+tax), Internet : $360, Homework tools : $388, Privilege : Priceless.
*I still can't shake the feeling that this is another clueless geek who thinks technology can solve everything. I agree with Jobs when he says, "what is wrong with education cannot be fixed with technology".
**Interestingly enough, the tax rate for America's (white) middle class is 28%.
