It seems that 9 times out of 10, when I hear the term identity politics, it's uttered by a Republican laying claim that Democrats are obsessed with it. That in and of itself is comical. It reminds me of a funny scene from the film What About Bob?
Bob Wiley: "The doctor draws two circles and says 'What do you see?' The guy says 'Sex.' Wait a minute, I haven't even told the joke yet! So the doctor draws trees, 'What do you see?' The guy says 'Sex.' The doctor draws a car, owl, 'Sex, sex, sex.' The doctor says to him, 'You are obsessed with sex.' He replies, 'Well, you're the one drawing all the dirty pictures!'"
So what even is identity politics? Dictionary.com defines it as, "Political activity or movements based on or catering to the cultural, ethnic, gender, racial, religious, or social interests that characterize a group identity."
Let's be honest, based on that definition, both parties are guilty of "catering to the cultural, ethnic, gender, racial, religious, or social interests that characterize a group identity." Republicans tend to cater to: Men, whites, the wealthy, corporations, Christians, conservatives, heterosexuals, etc. Democrats tend to cater to: Women, minorities (both in terms of race and creed), the LGBT community, students, liberals, etc.
There is a difference in the two parties' messaging when it comes to identity politics, however. Republicans attempt to win votes by telling the majority, those with the most money and power, that they're in danger of losing privileges they've always taken for granted. Democrats, on the other hand, attempt to win votes by telling minorities, those who don't yet possess equal rights and opportunities, they should be seen and treated as equals in this country. So, in other words, while Republicans yell "Identity!" Democrats yell "Equality!" If and when Democrats achieve their goal of helping all demographics be treated as equality in the eyes of people and the law, they'll no longer need to spout identity politics. Republicans have already achieved their end goal, however, so regardless of whether or not Democrats achieve their goal, chances are GOPers will still spout that which they claim to despise - identity politics. So the next time a conservative attacks you for resorting to identity politics, just fire back, "It's not about identity, it's about equality, and without equality, what is our country's true identity?"
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/identity-politics
Bob Wiley: "The doctor draws two circles and says 'What do you see?' The guy says 'Sex.' Wait a minute, I haven't even told the joke yet! So the doctor draws trees, 'What do you see?' The guy says 'Sex.' The doctor draws a car, owl, 'Sex, sex, sex.' The doctor says to him, 'You are obsessed with sex.' He replies, 'Well, you're the one drawing all the dirty pictures!'"
So what even is identity politics? Dictionary.com defines it as, "Political activity or movements based on or catering to the cultural, ethnic, gender, racial, religious, or social interests that characterize a group identity."
Let's be honest, based on that definition, both parties are guilty of "catering to the cultural, ethnic, gender, racial, religious, or social interests that characterize a group identity." Republicans tend to cater to: Men, whites, the wealthy, corporations, Christians, conservatives, heterosexuals, etc. Democrats tend to cater to: Women, minorities (both in terms of race and creed), the LGBT community, students, liberals, etc.
There is a difference in the two parties' messaging when it comes to identity politics, however. Republicans attempt to win votes by telling the majority, those with the most money and power, that they're in danger of losing privileges they've always taken for granted. Democrats, on the other hand, attempt to win votes by telling minorities, those who don't yet possess equal rights and opportunities, they should be seen and treated as equals in this country. So, in other words, while Republicans yell "Identity!" Democrats yell "Equality!" If and when Democrats achieve their goal of helping all demographics be treated as equality in the eyes of people and the law, they'll no longer need to spout identity politics. Republicans have already achieved their end goal, however, so regardless of whether or not Democrats achieve their goal, chances are GOPers will still spout that which they claim to despise - identity politics. So the next time a conservative attacks you for resorting to identity politics, just fire back, "It's not about identity, it's about equality, and without equality, what is our country's true identity?"
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/identity-politics
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