Countering the Politics of Deservingness in the Fight for Digital Equity

The denial of equitable access has been a defining feature throughout American history. From the enactment of poll taxes to the implementation of housing redlining to the draining of public swimming pools, all have served as methods to preserve and expand systems of dominance. Today, the Trump administration is reactivating this playbook through attempts to reshape US institutions, distort historical truth, and reinforce racial and economic inequality. One of the increasingly visible parts of this effort is the attack on digital equity, which threatens to further entrench the digital divide and deny communities access to tools needed to fully participate in modern society. More insidiously, these attacks reflect a deeper ideology that is being steadily normalized by the long-standing politics of “deservingness,” which reinforces racial inequities through public narratives, policy design, and policy implementation. Policymakers and policy advocates must challenge and dismantle this ideology by unapologetically reimagining the narratives and policies that will shape a more equitable future.

[Alisa Valentin, Ph.D., is the Broadband Policy Director at Public Knowledge, where she focuses on ensuring all consumers have access to affordable, reliable broadband.]