This diary is an expanded and edited version coming from this comment. The author blogs at Firedoglake.
Or do they?
Today, my co blogger Jane Hamsher questioned this bit of conventional wisdom with this post. I'd like to encourage readers of OpenLeft to check it out, and either join the discussion at Firedoglake or take her observations up here.
I wonder how we really know what we think we know. How good, really, is the data people use to measure the composition of this dynamic thing we call the progressive netroots? Is there really some groups of straight white men trying to filter people out and calling all the shots for the progressive blogosphere? What are our most current data points, how have they been collected and how reliable are they? Let's talk about it.
I'm not sure we always know what we think we know, and I'd like to think a little bit differently about how we view and pursue diversity in support of economic justice, universal empowerment, civil rights. . . in short, toward progressive change.
