As a general rule the employment of identity politics as a campaign strategy is risky. It is certainly likely to be divisive.
The implementation of identity in political discourse as a whole or generic social discourse can be polarizing.
But, does that mean identity should never be a topic or brought up during the course of conversation? No.
Whether we want to admit it or not identity plays a significant role in not only our politics but everyday life. I can assure you as an African-American I am reminded every single day I'm African-American. Sometimes those reminders are subtle and sometimes they are loud and blunt.
It is almost chic now on the right side of the political spectrum and on segments of the left to bemoan identity politics. It is a commonality between Conservatives and some Progressives to lament, "Why are we always concentrating on what we are? The issues affect all of us." Actually, that is not really true, but I will address that here in a few minutes.
Here is the thing about that stance. It is specious and disingenuous.
From Conservatives standpoint they are just not being honest about their professed disdain for identity politics or intersectionalism as they might call it. Donald Trump's primary campaign theme was "white grievance". More succinctly it was and still is "white male grievance".
Now, when it comes to the segment of the left that rails against identity politics, their opposition is disingenuous too. They frame their stance as the issues affect all of us; thus, it is divisive to discuss certain issues as if they only primarily affect specific groups. Even though that is empirically and statistically true regarding certain nuanced issues.
The truth is they don't want identity politics employed because it might, likely, will offend and put off some white voters.
Look, a part of me gets it. I can understand why a low income white male hears how the criminal justice system is unfair to blacks and would think that is bullshit because they had to spend two weeks in county jail over some bogus charge and because the bail system is a legal extortion system they could not get out. But, the other part of me says that dude should be more nuanced in his thinking and realize that kind of crap disproportionately happens to people of color.
The fact is some issues more adversely affect certain groups of folks more than they do others. Pointing that out isn't using identity as a crutch. It is pointing out facts.
Now, generally I don't believe harping on identity to elicit votes or favor or attention is a good idea.
I agree with those critics who say a significant amount of Hillary Clinton's problems was she incessantly relied on her being the first female nominee for president from a major political party. Not only did the media mention it ad nauseam so did she.
Obviously, you can't just say, "I'm a woman" or "I'm black" or "I'm gay" so "vote for me". Candidates have to give people something to vote for.
Same goes for anything in life. Don't give me a shot because I am black. Give me a shot because I am intelligent or qualified or hard working.
But, with that being said, we must address the realities. Identity matters. It especially matters to many of those who claim it doesn't.
Some issues simply affect certain groups more than others. It is not racist or divisive to point that out. It is being objective.
For example, ending the drug war is a major issue of the Progressive Left. Ending the drug war would benefit Americans across the board because it's costly and ineffective. But, it's malpractice to not point out that black and brown people are hugely disproportionately adversely affected by the drug war. Saying that is not being racist or playing identity politics. It is being intellectually honest about an issue that affects all of us but some more than others.
In the same respect it would be silly to mention stagnant wages only in the context of certain working class voters. Wage growth or lack thereof is something that affects people across the spectrum because there are working class people of all races. It is not an issue that disproportionately affects certain groups unless you are meaning the middle class and poor as a whole.
Another sub-issue that grates my nerves is the complaining about the hyphen. That meaning why do people have to be referred to as African-American or Mexican-American and so forth. It is yet another specious stance that is dripping with disingenuousness.
Yes, we are all Americans! But, the folks who love to say this are the very ones who love to point out others' race, nationality, religion or sexual orientation.
They will ask, "Why do you specify you're black by saying you're African-American? Why can't you just say you're American? "
I don't know. Good questions. Here are better ones. Why did you clutch your purse a little tighter when I walked up but didn't when those white dudes were around you? Why did you assume I am a rap music fan? Why did you bristle and frown up when that white lady over there appeared to be flirting with me?
See, the game that is played is quite transparent.
I agree identity as a political strategy is generally a misconceived idea. I agree relying upon identity to get through life is very likely going to backfire.
However, that doesn't mean we can ignore our identity or should suppress it. It also doesn't means identity and its impact should be dismissed.
Criticizing people for mentioning Sen. Kamala Harris could be the first black female candidate for president as playing identity politics is somewhat silly. No, that should not be a reason to vote for her but you are grossly naive or emphatically stupid if you don't believe there are plenty of folks who will not vote for her because she is a black female.
Again, the people who love to say identity should not matter are the people it often matters to most.
Should you like me or respect me or even feel sorry for me because I am a black man in America? Hell no! First, I don't want your sympathy. Second, I would hope you like and respect me because I have earned it.
However, that doesn't mean my identity as a black man in America should not be viewed through a nuanced lens.
*I really struggled with the title for this blog because I am fairly certain it will not encapsulate what I am actually conveying.*
The implementation of identity in political discourse as a whole or generic social discourse can be polarizing.
But, does that mean identity should never be a topic or brought up during the course of conversation? No.
Whether we want to admit it or not identity plays a significant role in not only our politics but everyday life. I can assure you as an African-American I am reminded every single day I'm African-American. Sometimes those reminders are subtle and sometimes they are loud and blunt.
It is almost chic now on the right side of the political spectrum and on segments of the left to bemoan identity politics. It is a commonality between Conservatives and some Progressives to lament, "Why are we always concentrating on what we are? The issues affect all of us." Actually, that is not really true, but I will address that here in a few minutes.
Here is the thing about that stance. It is specious and disingenuous.
From Conservatives standpoint they are just not being honest about their professed disdain for identity politics or intersectionalism as they might call it. Donald Trump's primary campaign theme was "white grievance". More succinctly it was and still is "white male grievance".
Now, when it comes to the segment of the left that rails against identity politics, their opposition is disingenuous too. They frame their stance as the issues affect all of us; thus, it is divisive to discuss certain issues as if they only primarily affect specific groups. Even though that is empirically and statistically true regarding certain nuanced issues.
The truth is they don't want identity politics employed because it might, likely, will offend and put off some white voters.
Look, a part of me gets it. I can understand why a low income white male hears how the criminal justice system is unfair to blacks and would think that is bullshit because they had to spend two weeks in county jail over some bogus charge and because the bail system is a legal extortion system they could not get out. But, the other part of me says that dude should be more nuanced in his thinking and realize that kind of crap disproportionately happens to people of color.
The fact is some issues more adversely affect certain groups of folks more than they do others. Pointing that out isn't using identity as a crutch. It is pointing out facts.
Now, generally I don't believe harping on identity to elicit votes or favor or attention is a good idea.
I agree with those critics who say a significant amount of Hillary Clinton's problems was she incessantly relied on her being the first female nominee for president from a major political party. Not only did the media mention it ad nauseam so did she.
Obviously, you can't just say, "I'm a woman" or "I'm black" or "I'm gay" so "vote for me". Candidates have to give people something to vote for.
Same goes for anything in life. Don't give me a shot because I am black. Give me a shot because I am intelligent or qualified or hard working.
But, with that being said, we must address the realities. Identity matters. It especially matters to many of those who claim it doesn't.
Some issues simply affect certain groups more than others. It is not racist or divisive to point that out. It is being objective.
For example, ending the drug war is a major issue of the Progressive Left. Ending the drug war would benefit Americans across the board because it's costly and ineffective. But, it's malpractice to not point out that black and brown people are hugely disproportionately adversely affected by the drug war. Saying that is not being racist or playing identity politics. It is being intellectually honest about an issue that affects all of us but some more than others.
In the same respect it would be silly to mention stagnant wages only in the context of certain working class voters. Wage growth or lack thereof is something that affects people across the spectrum because there are working class people of all races. It is not an issue that disproportionately affects certain groups unless you are meaning the middle class and poor as a whole.
Another sub-issue that grates my nerves is the complaining about the hyphen. That meaning why do people have to be referred to as African-American or Mexican-American and so forth. It is yet another specious stance that is dripping with disingenuousness.
Yes, we are all Americans! But, the folks who love to say this are the very ones who love to point out others' race, nationality, religion or sexual orientation.
They will ask, "Why do you specify you're black by saying you're African-American? Why can't you just say you're American? "
I don't know. Good questions. Here are better ones. Why did you clutch your purse a little tighter when I walked up but didn't when those white dudes were around you? Why did you assume I am a rap music fan? Why did you bristle and frown up when that white lady over there appeared to be flirting with me?
See, the game that is played is quite transparent.
I agree identity as a political strategy is generally a misconceived idea. I agree relying upon identity to get through life is very likely going to backfire.
However, that doesn't mean we can ignore our identity or should suppress it. It also doesn't means identity and its impact should be dismissed.
Criticizing people for mentioning Sen. Kamala Harris could be the first black female candidate for president as playing identity politics is somewhat silly. No, that should not be a reason to vote for her but you are grossly naive or emphatically stupid if you don't believe there are plenty of folks who will not vote for her because she is a black female.
Again, the people who love to say identity should not matter are the people it often matters to most.
Should you like me or respect me or even feel sorry for me because I am a black man in America? Hell no! First, I don't want your sympathy. Second, I would hope you like and respect me because I have earned it.
However, that doesn't mean my identity as a black man in America should not be viewed through a nuanced lens.
*I really struggled with the title for this blog because I am fairly certain it will not encapsulate what I am actually conveying.*
