Keeping women's issues in the news

[theHandpuppet]

Most of us here have had the experience of posting DU threads related to women's issues only to find many of them scroll off the pages of the main fora (like GD) before you can finish that first cup of coffee. Anyone who has posted a thread on reproduction rights, for instance, can probably relate to what I'm saying.

With all the recent and contentious debate regarding the global war on women -- one of the few topics that seems to grab the attention of the general DU populace, if only because so many can't wait to deny there is one -- I think it's critical to document just how this war is continually being waged. That's why I feel it's so important to support the "Women's Rights & Issues" group.

I view WRI as a vital archive for us where we can share articles, resources, news of upcoming events, etc. It can be a literal storehouse of information. In that way I see its function as different but complimentary to the HoF group. It disheartens me to see WRI languish from what I can only perceive as a lack of interest or participation. That's not an accusation but an observation. Few posters, few readers, few recs. Although I try to contribute to WRI as much as possible, I've found myself tempted to post women's news elsewhere because I suspect if I post to WRI it simply won't get read. It seems such a waste to not take full advantage of such a space.

Now I'm not a host of WRI or anything and hope I'm not stepping on any toes here. I think we have a similar situation with the LGBT groups, where the "LGBT Civil Rights & Activism" space is woefully underused. (And yes, I plead guilty.) But in both cases I'd contend that it can be hard to track down particular threads or information you seek to reference for a discussion when the SOP lines between groups get so blurred.

Anyway, that's all I have to say and I really need another cup of coffee.

[sufrommich]

1. Great OP,Handpuppet. I'll be the first to admit

that I'm a creature of habit when it comes to DU forums and usually only check out 3 or 4 of them with any regularity. I just checked out Women's Rights & Issues and it's a treasure trove of interesting,important articles and issues. I'll try to read and post there more often and I'm sorry it's not getting the attention it deserves.

[theHandpuppet]

2. Believe me, I do the same thing

I try to focus on about 6 or 7 fora and even then it's hard to keep up. Sometimes I wonder if the DU tree isn't a bit overgrown and needs a bit of pruning.