In 1990? Likely.

In 2010? This article is supposed to be about US, not a third-world country, right?

I was born in -91, and the first time I had access to a computer that I could actually install things on (not school/library) was at the age of 15, and no internet access at home until about 2 years later. I live in Finland, but I imagine there are lots of Americans with similiar experiences. Nowadays it's also possible that the those people will have a "consumption only"-device rather than a "real" PC they can do things like programming with.

... apparently you don't know any poor people. Most today MIGHT have a tablet, and probably have a cell phone, but a desktop or laptop is a luxury.

even in a third world country like brazil, every single person i know (from lower to high classes) has access to a computer AND a smartphone (even the poorest person has one, it's quite interesting).

Did you not realize that US education is on par with a third world country in a lot of regions?

Access to a computer has little to do with education anymore. If someone wants to tinker with computers, they can use one in a library or just get an old one for <$100.

Theoretically, yes. In practice, no. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/business/media/13drill.htm...

When was the last time you tried to use a library computer?

That is true, but it doesn't mean they should be given a job they don't have the skills for. Or would you like to have "Affirmative Action" doctors?

And of course that's what you jump to. I certainly do think there should be affirmative action in the medical profession, and there is.

I don't for a minute believe it is necessary to have been coding since you were 12 in order to do most jobs in Silicon Valley. But if companies decide to discount people because of it, then you will absolutely filter out people who come from lower economic backgrounds.

This is a great example of institutional racism.

Sadly, you are wrong. 4 years of computer usage is not nearly enough to be prepared to be a programmer.

..or healthy food, or stability in their home to do homework, or have parents with time to help...

All of it ends up affecting their hireability.

Why is this relevant?

The topic at hand is "why Silicon Valley companies do not hire black people." Connect the dots?