Civil Rights Movement knocks on the door of the FCC

[Commentary] In the decades-long struggle for civil rights, the movement has focused on different Washington institutions, from Congress to the White House to the Supreme Court. This summer, part of the battle moved to the Federal Communications Commission. The critical question now facing the FCC is how to preserve the open Internet while continuing to expand opportunity and bring the transformative benefits of broadband technology to all Americans, including communities of color. The digital divide is still too large in this country -- but we will not close it by adopting obsolete utility rules that have never previously equalized service or economic opportunity for communities of color. Instead, we need the Internet to keep growing, getting faster and reaching more Americans. This issue is bigger than the ordinary give and take of party politics, campaign machinations, and legislation. It’s the next great chapter in our unceasing struggle for full citizenship -- offline and on. All communities deserve a vibrant, growing, and open Internet -- and we must ensure that we take the right approach today.

[Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League]