Netroots Nation, the national progressive blogger conference is a little over two weeks away. With all the headlines going around right now, there will be lots to discuss in Pittsburgh.
ARC’s Executive Director Rinku Sen, will be speaking in the session: Stepping it up: Creating Powerful Multiracial Alliances with Progressive Bloggers along with Cheryl Contee (Jack and Jill Politics), Kyle de Beausset (Citizen Orange and the Sancutuary) and Jacki Esposito (Detention Watch Network) and moderated by Will Coley (Aquifer Media). The session will focus on how the progressive blogosphere often neglects to discuss larger social justice issues, particularly those related to race and ethnicity and results in critical concerns like immigration enforcement and criminal justice being mostly covered by nativist and politically conservative bloggers. Given corporate media’s attention to issues of immigration enforcement and the recent revival of the comprehensive immigration reform debate, it is crucial that progressive bloggers are prepared to expand the public dialogue around these issues. If you’re coming to the conference, come join us and share your perspective on this issue! Info: Stepping it up: Creating Powerful Multiracial Alliances with Progressive Bloggers Friday, August 14th 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM Panel, 315/316 David L. Lawrence convention center 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd Pittsburgh, PA Find a full NetRoots Nation agenda HERE! Lastly, make sure you’re following @ARC_RinkuSen on twitter before the conference. **UPDATE: 8/6/09 Rinku will also be part of the following panel. The Myth of Post-Racial America The Myth of Post-Racial America Thursday, August 13th 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Panel, 301/302 Time: Thursday, August 13th, 9:00am – 10:15am Room: 301/302 The election of Barack Obama as president has led many to view our country as entering a "post-racial" era. The reaction to Attorney General Eric Holder’s "nation of cowards" remarks, the controversy over the New York Post cartoon of a police officer shooting a chimpanzee and the president’s own reluctance to appoint an immigration rights advocate as assistant attorney general for civil rights indicate that Obama’s election may be the beginning—not the end—of a post-racial America. Panelists will discuss and share analyses on the role of race both during the election and post-inauguration, and its impact on progressive policy.