Brief Summary of the News Story
In Detroit, unemployment primary caused by lack of basic computer skills among the residents has led to increased economic problems in the region. The majority of the available job occupations require the applicant to have sound knowledge in usage of internet services such as emails and other social media platforms. Detroit, despite being among the largest cities in America, it is considered to be the metropolitan with the poorest access to the internet. Due to the widespread poverty in Detroit, the residents are not able to pay for a broadband web or buy mobile data plans to go online on a computer or over smartphones. According to the respondents, increased unemployment ratios in Detroit city can be directly associated with the lack of the internet and other digital services. Detroit dwellers are not able to apply for employment opportunities online, carry out research, or find any financial aid using the internet. The majority of the growing jobs in this region require technical skills which the inhabitants cannot access due to poverty. However, efforts are being put to alleviate such problems. For instance, the introduction of fee Wi-Fi by non-profit organizations is one of the strategies. According to Kang (2016) news story:
Job seekers in Detroit are crowding in public libraries to use internet services. Lack of basic computer knowledge and access to the web is causing unemployment in this city. Besides, the phenomenon has led to high poverty ratios among the natives of Detroit. Non-profits have formed initiatives such as free Wi-Fi to reduce the impact of internet deprivation in the city of Detroit.
Brief Overview of the Theory.
The problem of unemployment has affected nearly all nations in the world. Massive layoffs occurred after the new technology particularly the internet usage took effect. The new technology came along with major systematic changes including job seeking, application and recruitment strategies. Employment seekers were supposed to use internet platforms and facilities such as emails to apply for the vacant positions. Many of the job applicants lacked access to the web and decided to make use of the public libraries as the only alternative. In addition, existing workers’ methods of carrying out their assignments changed drastically. For example, the new technology required them to do their daily transactions using internet systems. The majority of the employees lacked relevant computer skills and competence which impelled their employers to sack them. Summarily, lack of significant knowledge on usage of internet facilities is among the major factors leading to unemployment currently. Jerrard and Jane (2009) in the theory argue that:
Employment seekers in North Las Vegas could be seen queuing in public libraries to use the available internet to apply for jobs since they could not access such facilities at their homes. The majority of both existing and potential employees had limited or no computer skills. Public libraries were facing a challenge in handling vast crowds of individuals intending to learn and use their internet services simultaneously. Unemployment in this state became rampant and poverty ratios skyrocketed. (Pp.1-2).
Definitions of a News Story and a Theory and how the two Concepts Connect.
A news story refers to a report written in a straightforward style and usually has no editorial comments. On the other hand, a theory refers to a system of ideas which the writer explains with the core purpose of bringing out their relation to one another. For instance, in the newspaper, the article writer presents the report on economic turmoil in Detroit in a straightforward manner without including her comments. Conversely, in the textbook, Jerrard and Jane analyze the theory of unemployment and its connection to the internet and shows how the two concepts relate. Nevertheless, students will ordinarily see some links between the theory and the news story. Some will consider the presentability and argue that both the theory and the news story take a prose format. Both the textbook theory and the newspaper article include experts' and witnesses quotations. For example, in the theory work, the author quotes Pam Reese, who was a public education and web team administrator, addressing the issue of online application of available opportunities in the organization. Likewise, the newspaper article author quotes Deborah Fisher, who is a director of the Hope Village Initiative, who argues that a non-profit trying to develop social services like free Wi-Fi in the neighboring villages is impossible since such organizations lack consistent inflow of funds.
Bibliography
Crisis in employment: a librarian's guide to helping job seekers Jane Jerrard - American Library Association – 2009
Kang, Cecilia. 2016. "Unemployed Detroit Residents Are Trapped By A Digital Divide". New York Times, single page. Retrieved May 22, 2016 (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/23/technology/unemployed-detroit-residents-are-trapped-by-a-digital-divide.html?ref=business&_r=0).
