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How to NOT fall into the pit of “Identity Politics.”
First off, we need to know what exactly Identity Politics is: “politics in which groups of people having a particular racial, religious, ethnic, social, or cultural identity tend to promote their own specific interests or concerns without regard to the interests or concerns of any larger political group.”
First off, we need to know what exactly Identity Politics is: This definition is sourced directly from the Merriam-Webster dictionary. When I reread this definition, all I see is a selfish, personal attempt at using politics to justify unjustifiable intentions, ideas, or emotional vendettas. Yet, in today’s political arena, it is common for contemporary politicians to use this phrase loosely to enact change on behalf of their personal interests, allowing their followers to believe that their conquest and the politicians are aligned.
So how do we as United States citizens move forward as a collective and maneuver around today’s obstacles without being brought down by the alluring idea of Identity Politics? (if you can call it alluring). I believe with all of me that it starts at understanding the basic idea of what it means to be a United States citizen and knowing that we are stronger together as ONE nation rather than defining ourselves separately as warring identities.
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We can be unique, we can be individuals with our own aspirations, have our personal preferences, and have always been this way. It seems over time, we have been subdued by our technological advances, allowing us to become droves of drones, living other people’s fantasies, or allowing ourselves to believe we are stuck in these molds we have created for ourselves. What the fuck is going on?
Why are we allowing these politicians, affluent elites, and multi-media conglomerates to dictate who we should be mad at, or where we should direct our hate, or why we become restless with contempt towards our neighbors? Why are we being pacified? Why do we not even notice?
It is time to stop blaming others and hating our sisters and brothers. Let us evolve and understand that our country is ours, and it is beautiful, even with its flaws. The United States is the greatest country, regardless of your feelings toward it. We can remove, vote, criticize and speak out against our leaders that corrupt our way of life. We will rot from the inside out if we allow ourselves to bicker about the nonsense that grows from Identity Politics. We have seen it dramatically rise in “selfless” political endeavors since the term originated in the 1960s/1970s.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, grab a book, obtain some knowledge, make your OWN opinions and views, and think for yourself. Identity Politics allows the weak to fight for a so-called “righteous” cause that will only promote the idea generator’s concept of values, ideals, and understanding at the end of the day. The United States was birthed from free-thinkers and people who thought about the masses rather than think about themselves. We need to, as a people, revert back to understanding ‘free-thought’ and collectively agreeing for the betterment of the nation our grandchildren will mold because, like all things, we will die. Our nation can only survive if we are united; let us hope those words are remembered.
