proposition: we need a Civil Rights forum!

[Rich Hunt]

When I first joined DU, there was a general Civil Rights / Civil Liberties forum. That forum (rightly, I think) split up into a number of forums once DU's scope expanded and they added 'topic forums'. The groups that sprung out of that forum, I believe, were this group, the feminism group, the civil liberties group, and the GLBT group, and probably some others.

I do think those groups are necessary and ought to remain. I also think that Civil Liberties should have its own forum, separate from Civil Rights. However, I find it appalling that there is no general 'Civil Rights' forum, one that would incorporate discussion of racial discrimination but putting it into a larger 'Civil Rights' context.

Of all issues that Democrats deal with, civil rights is nearest and dearest to my heart, but I cannot find a group here that feels most appropriate for the news and discussion I would like to initiate. Most of my work in fact involves the research and analysis of hate groups, their evolving ideologies and tactics, and I find that there is no broad and appropriate forum for this. I think the creation of a Civil Rights group, especially since there USED TO BE ONE, would take some of the burden of discussing hate crimes, news on far right movements and activities (such as the current anti-'immigration' movement) off of this group, which seems to me to be more oriented toward not only discussions of racism but also the histories and cultural issues of particular racial groups.

Am I making myself clear here? I hope I am understood, and that I have at least a few people who remember the old Civil Rights forum and who agree with me that a revival of that forum is in order. I anticipate that such a forum would encompass racial discrimination and harassment in addition to attacks on gays and lesbians, attacks on women as well as attacks on immigrants, American Indians, religious minorities, etc. - you know, the kind of issues that groups like the SPLC deal with.

Thank you for indulging me this proposition. If we generate enough interest, perhaps we could take up this matter with the DU administrators.

[IndyOp]

1. Nevermind...

:hi:

[Rich Hunt]

2. correct, I read that forum currently

But Civil Rights are a distinct issue from Civil Liberties, and the Civil Liberties forum (which is supposed to deal with issues like censorship and police harassment,surveillance, the Bill of Rights, etc.) is not the same as a Civil Rights forum. There used to be a CIVIL RIGHTS / CIVIL LIBERTIES forum, but those two things are not the same, and yet there is a civil liberties forum and no civil rights one.

I don't see anyone talking about hate groups or hate crimes on the Civil Liberties forum - civil liberties is about freedom from the excesses of government, civil rights refers to something entirely different. We need a general forum for news and activism around far right groups, hate groups, hate crimes, discrimination, etc.

[leftstreet]

3. You've got my vote

While it's appropriate for individuals to have specific forums to address discrimination or harassment - it shouldn't lead to isolation. Far right hate groups don't limit themselves to just targeting gays, or immigrants, or women.

I'd like to see an inclusive forum about civil rights in general.

[Rich Hunt]

4. thanks!

That is exactly my sentiment. We could start a 'DU Group', but since this group and the Civil Liberties group
have 'Forum' status, I'd like to see it be an actual forum. Like I said, Civil Rights has been a fundamental
and defining issue for Democrats for several decades now - it's surprising that there is no dedicated 'Civil Rights'
forum.

I guess we could work on a proposal for a DU Group in hopes it could get bumped up to 'forum' status.

I couldn't find anything regarding the creation of new forums - I am assuming it is more difficult, but here
are the procedures for DU Groups:

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[leftstreet]

5. Did you post your original thread in General Discussion?

I don't see it.