A number of federal grants designed to develop web entry for rural and Black communities in addition to assist fund a number of non-profits targeted on Black healthcare in Georgia had been lower as a part of the DOGE endeavor earlier this 12 months.
In keeping with The Present, the Digital Fairness Capability Program was a federal grant meant to deal with the digital divide and supply high-speed web entry to rural and low-income communities, with $22 million put aside particularly for Georgia. The grant was abruptly canceled earlier this 12 months by the Division of Commerce after Trump noticed the phrase “fairness” and instantly labeled it “a racist and unlawful $2.5 billion giveaway,” on Reality Social.
The grants weren’t solely designed to assist Black and brown communities; seniors, veterans, folks with disabilities, and low-income households would have additionally obtained help to assist meet up with the digital age. Georgia had an entire, 466-page plan outlining how they’d spend the cash.
It might enhance cell tower service throughout the state in addition to present entry to fiber optic web in rural communities akin to McIntosh County. A 3rd of McIntosh’s inhabitants is Black and the county has a median earnings of $50,000, which is $25k lower than the state at giant.
The plan would additionally develop telehealth providers to these rural and low-income communities, in addition to improve digital literacy to assist determine cyber and phone scammers. Talking as a person with a Black grandmother, I do know firsthand that our elders are particularly inclined to misinformation and scammers. With scammers getting extra refined and extra strong, that is info that might assist defend a few of our most weak.
The Georgia DOGE cuts didn’t cease at digital fairness, additionally they focused the Georgia Division of Public Well being and varied grants that might assist enhance the lives of Georgia’s Black inhabitants.
The Georgia-based Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) misplaced $334 million in funding as a consequence of federal funding cuts earlier this 12 months. Because of this, a number of non-profits targeted on Black well being in Georgia have misplaced funding. The Middle for Black Girls’s Wellness misplaced $438,000 on account of the DOGE cuts. BLKHLTH Inc., a non-profit targeted on vaccine fairness in Georgia’s Black group, mentioned they’d lose almost $500,000.
“We’re a small nonprofit and this was a million-dollar reimbursable grant, in order that was a big proportion of our anticipated finances for the 12 months,” BLKHLTH co-founder Kadijah Ameen instructed GPB.
One of the notable, and harmful, funding cuts revolves round HIV/AIDS analysis and prevention. The Trump administration has already tried to withhold congressionally authorized funding for nonprofits targeted on HIV analysis and sexual well being inside the LGBTQ group. Trump’s “Massive, Lovely Invoice” cuts funding for HIV analysis, surveillance, and prevention efforts.
Federal funding cuts to HIV analysis and prevention efforts would particularly hit Georgia’s Black inhabitants. Black persons are solely 31 % of Georgia’s inhabitants, but make up 67 % of recent HIV diagnoses within the state.
There’s a whole lot of noise (for good motive) in regards to the varied atrocities and absurdities dedicated by the Trump administration every day. But essentially the most insidious evil of the present administration is the way in which it has managed to weaponize the greenback to trigger undue hurt to Black, brown, and most weak communities.
SEE ALSO:
Are DOGE’s Huge Layoffs Hurting Black Staff?
The Nice White Heist: Trump’s Plan to Bankrupt America
DOGE Cuts Kill Georgia Web Entry Program For Black Individuals
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