Why All Americans Should Cheer the FCC’s Network Neutrality Decision

[Commentary] On February 26, the Federal Communications Commission adopted network neutrality rules. Millions of Americans have been following this issue, yet many more are wondering what exactly just happened, and how it affects them. The FCC’s decision is a civil rights victory with special implications for people of color. It opens doors for Internet users to excel academically, economically and politically, all areas where people of color have lagged behind due to economic disparities and discrimination.

For example, Common Core standardized tests require students to be tech savvy. For African American and Latino students, who already face educational disparities, access to an open Internet could mean the difference between passing and failing. Harlyn Pacheco, co-founder of Qlovi, a free K-12 digital literacy platform developed over an Open Internet, uses culturally-relevant content to promote reading and writing skills. At the end of the day one thing is clear: the FCC officials responsible for this historic decision, Chairman Tom Wheeler, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, will go down in history as digital equality heroes.

[Jessica González is the Executive Vice President & General Counsel at the National Hispanic Media Coalition]