It’s net neutrality and universal broadband pledge week and, in all honesty, it’s been like pulling teeth. Even local allies we collaborate with on a regular basis give slow, reluctant answers to our requests to sign, or (even better) let us fill it out with their agreement.  I can’t help but wonder why.

Most often, the reason for reluctance falls into the categories of “why me?” or “I don’t see how this relates to my work.”  So, since it’s not as clear as I genuinely thought, I’m outlining the main points of the pledge and how they relate to EVERYONE in South Texas and, well, everywhere.

Universal Broadband

Broadband today should be defined as a universal service — just like phones in the 1980s.  Why?  Because if you don’t have access, you’re left out of one of the most incredible technological developments of the past century.  It’s a matter of public resource — not private enterprise.  Everyone who belongs to “public” should care whether or not they can access those resources whether it’s water, electricity, phone lines or broadband fiber.

Free Speech and Self-Representation

First thing my mom ever warned about the internet: “You never know who you’re talking to.”  The internet, in all it’s smutty glory, provides the most democratizing media source to date.  Users can literally communicate virtually anything imaginable.  Allowing corporations to limit what you can do with an essentially limitless tool negates and destroys its usefulness.

If You Can’t Pay, You Can’t Play

A favorite argument of large providers involves the position that since it’s not economically viable to extend fiber to poorer areas, the prices of service there need to be higher. And I get it, they’re not really in the business of making “bad investments.”  On the other hand, investing in a population who can then communicate and educate at will is an incredible investment with near limitless return.

Innovation, Competition and Growth

An open network doesn’t choke off profit or inhibit growth.  In fact, it does quite the opposite.  That old “land of opportunity” bit from… uh… oh yeah, American history, depends on thriving, creative, dynamic enterprise.  Want one solution to this economic mire we live in?  Allow those who think outside the box the ability to do so.  Don’t let anyone cut off the circulation of thoughts, ideas and brilliance.

Equal Access & Non-Discrimination

No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you do with yourself, access needs to remain the same.  Ensuring that impoverished and marginalized communities have access to online media and resources keeps voices heard, rights maintained and individuals connected.

If you’ve found some amount of weight, truth or urgency to these elements, show it.  Put your name and organization where your mouth is and sign the pledge (en Español).  But don’t just do that.  Talk about it.  Tell anyone else you think needs to know what’s up — even if they’re not in a position to sign a pledge.  Keeping our rights in the forefront of our minds and discussions keeps them safe.