Audrey Currey-G

Self and Society Seminar

Leaton

4 October 2019

Project One: Identity Politics

        Identity politics play an interesting role in our political climate and have a long and interesting history. The effects of identity politics and even status, reach as far back as 1964 to the civil rights group, Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. This group, made up of activists, aimed to desegregate the Mississippi Democratic Party, and ultimately was successful in achieving their goals by helping to eventually help pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (Dade, npr.org). Another example would be the La Raza Unida Party in 1970, comprised of Mexican-Americans, and then later all Latinos. Their objectives focused on benefitting the members based on their race. The third party received early success in smaller local elections but ultimately lost momentum in larger-scale elections. Identity politics have a long-standing and interesting relationship with American Politics and play an important role in our country’s politic climate to come. Identity politics can be both negative and positive, and both sides of the aisle have their own ideas. 

             Identity politics are based on how people see their own individuality. People take identifying aspects of themselves and use those qualities to form political relations and views. This tendency, whether consciously or not, allows people to more easily define their political views without necessarily doing their own in-depth research and without betraying their own. In doing so, people move away from the conventional wide-ranging political parties. This can be both negative and positive. This negatively affects the political environment by somewhat allowing voters and citizens to focus only on how the government and policies affect their own lives based on their backgrounds rather than focusing on the country’s health as a whole. It polarizes the country’s interactions politically, and places focus on the generalizations of culture, race, sexual orientation, religion or social background. Identity politics comfort people and drive the idea of hyperindividualism rather than supporting a productive means of improvement. Identity politics can also be a positive influence in our political climate. Identity politics provide people with the reassurance that supporting certain issues and candidates that will benefit them. They allow people to engage politically to further their interests without researching extensively. This encourages people to get involved and vote. There are both good and bad sides to identity politics and both sides of the political aisle have differing opinions internally.  

              Carrie Sheffield, a writer for CNN, argues that the Democratic party does not recognize the harmful effects identity politics can have. In her article, “Nancy Pelosi’s Mistake on Identity Politics”, Sheffield discusses how Pelosi’s political stance and comments concerning both identity politics can be dividing. The author analyzes how Pelosi and other Democratic candidates have used their race, gender, background, etc. to attract and gain support. While decidedly only mildly effective, Sheffield argues that this tactic causes discord. She goes as far as to argue that this method of campaigning “follow(s) the same playbook that lost Democrats the White House and kept them from gaining the congressional majority in 2016” (Sheffield, CNN.com). The author also mentions how this “identity politics play” is not used solely by playmakers from the left. Republicans can also be found using their identity as a method of gaining support, despite the ever-rising levels of diversity in our country. However, with celebrities of color like Kanye and Ben Carson showing support for conservative candidates, the tides of Republican identity politics shift as they move slightly towards attracting people from all walks of life. Sheffield’s piece aims to convey that identity politics divide voters and candidates who use this idea to win over voters are not successful.  Micheal Dougherty, a senior writer for the conservative magazine and website TheNationalReview.com, has a differing opinion. In his article, “Sympathy for Identity Politics?”, Dougherty discusses the benefits of identity politics on America’s political climate. Using Mary Eberstadt’s book, Primal Screams, the author describes how America’s rapidly changing familial structure and social interactions have caused muddled political views. Doughtery uses both Eberstadt’s book and other sources to defend identity politics and their role in supporting the country as it undergoes these dramatic social changes. Identity politics allow people to cling to a part of their identity that they can defend and support. Identity politics give comforts to voters and make the political world easier to manage. Identity politics also give minorities a voice and create a space for progress. By being given a space, people feel more comfortable to speak up and bring their own issues forward. In sum, according to Micheal Doughtery, identity politics provide a positive and progressive place for voters to congregate.

            Identity politics played an important role in our political climate in the past, and still affect our world today. While not everyone chooses to engage or support this concept, it is vital that voters understand what this means to them in order to most properly choose a candidate to support. Without a comprehensive understanding of how identity politics affect our government and world, people cannot vote justly. Understanding identity politics gives voters the tools to more equitably chose a candidate that can represent their beliefs and morals. 

Works Cited

Dade, Corey. “Identity Politics: A Brief History.” NPR, NPR, 12 July 2011,           www.npr.org/2011/07/12/137789802/identity-politics-a-brief-history.

Gao, Michelle I. “Why I Don’t Support Identity Politics Anymore: Opinion: The Harvard Crimson.” Why I Don’t Support Identity Politics Anymore | Opinion, 24 Jan. 2018, www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/1/24/gao-identity-politics/.

Perrybaconjr. “Why Identity Politics Could Be Good Politics For Democrats In 2020.” FiveThirtyEight, FiveThirtyEight, 2 Apr. 2019, fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-identity-politics-could-be-good-politics-for-democrats-in-2020/

Sheffield, Carrie. “Nancy Pelosi’s Mistake on Identity Politics.” CNN, Cable News Network, 4 May 2018, www.cnn.com/2018/05/03/opinions/identity-politics-pelosi-opinion-sheffield/index.html.