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 centered on Black healthcare in Georgia had been reduce as a part of the DOGE endeavor earlier this yr.
In accordance with The Present, the Digital Fairness Capability Program was a federal grant meant to handle 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 yr by the Division of Commerce after Trump noticed the phrase “fairness” and instantly labeled it “a racist and unlawful $2.5 billion giveaway,” on Fact 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 acquired help to assist meet up with the digital age. Georgia had an entire, 466-page plan outlining how they might spend the cash.
It will enhance cell tower service throughout the state in addition to present entry to fiber optic web in rural communities similar 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 massive.
The plan would additionally develop telehealth providers to these rural and low-income communities, in addition to improve digital literacy to assist establish cyber and phone scammers. Talking as a person with a Black grandmother, I do know firsthand that our elders are particularly vulnerable to misinformation and scammers. With scammers getting extra subtle and extra sturdy, that is data that might assist shield a few of our most susceptible.
Supply: Lacheev / GettyThe Georgia DOGE cuts didn’t cease at digital fairness, in addition 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 resulting from federal funding cuts earlier this yr. Because of this, a number of non-profits centered on Black well being in Georgia have misplaced funding. The Middle for Black Ladies’s Wellness misplaced $438,000 on account of the DOGE cuts. BLKHLTH Inc., a non-profit centered on vaccine fairness in Georgia’s Black neighborhood, mentioned they might lose practically $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 yr,” BLKHLTH co-founder Kadijah Ameen informed GPB.
One of the vital notable, and harmful, funding cuts revolves round HIV/AIDS analysis and prevention. The Trump administration has already tried to withhold congressionally permitted funding for nonprofits centered on HIV analysis and sexual well being throughout the LGBTQ neighborhood. Trump’s “Huge, Stunning 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 latest HIV diagnoses within the state.
There’s a whole lot of noise (for good motive) concerning 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 susceptible communities.
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