One term that’s been thrown around increasingly more in the most recent decade is this concept of “identity politics.” As with most broad scale initiatives, there are multiple meanings in play and oft the concept is weaponized, meaning it’s exploited to attack a person or group. So let’s attempt to initially define the notion prior to the point of today’s post.
Loosely speaking, the largest, relevant umbrella definition of identity politics would seem to be an approach that encourages evaluating issues through the lens of a person’s association with a specific people group.
No doubt it makes sense that our association with a specific demographic influences our passions, priorities and how we view the world. It also impacts the angles we see most effective in solving what we perceive as the world’s biggest problems. It thus is a beautiful thing that in a country that has long yearned for the tired, poor and huddled masses to be free, we acknowledge and celebrate our diversity.
And that’s just it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating our diversity. I mean, who are we kidding to expect us all to think exactly alike?
Hence, identity politics can be an insightful outlook when it encourages compassion and sensitivity to look at life through a lens different than one’s own.
Simultaneously, however, there exists an explosive untenability within the approach. Too often looking at life through a perceived, singular identity pits us directly against someone else. In other words, one group can’t thrive unless another people group becomes lesser. And thus we set up success to be dependent on the loss of power/prosperity/status/etc. of others. That is an impossible reality. Why? It makes politics like a sporting event, in which only one team can win. The other will have to lose.
Perhaps that’s why there’s so much misunderstanding these days… I can’t understand how a person could vote that way!… how in the world could they support him or her?!… don’t they see what they’re doing? … what they’re actually supporting?… do they hate me? … how can they support such hate?…
Identity politics puts too much focus on the lack of discernment of everyone else… everyone but “me.” And maybe, just maybe, part of the problem is that in our pursuit of solution and desires from singular lenses, we miss how we are pitting groups against each other. There’s got to be a better way… a way that more than only one can win.
I have an idea. It may not be the easiest. I mean, the demographics we identify with are meaningful — and I have absolutely zero desire to tamper those traits; I believe our diversity should be celebrated.
But I think one helpful tool would be to broaden what we see our greatest identity in.
To be clear, our identity is what or who we are. And yes, we are male, female, black, white, tall, short, Latino, you name it. And those are things indeed to be celebrated!
But if that’s the primary thing we find our identity in, we have narrowed who we are. The question is how we broaden the base, how we enlarge the scope of our identity so that more are included, so we aren’t so pitted against one another, and so that we therefore look at others in regard to what we have in common as opposed to what we don’t.
For me, the most helpful, enlarged lens is looking at absolutely every person as someone God created and loves. I may have trouble getting along with someone… I may struggle with their angle, expressions or personality quirks… but I try to remember that the great big God of the universe made them, loves them like crazy, and thus they are no different from me — whether they believe in him or not.
A couple of weeks ago, I was speaking to an immigrant friend — now US citizen — who was all excited to vote in this past election. Voting wasn’t a right she had so freely before, so she was thrilled for her newfound opportunity. I have to admit, I wasn’t where she was. I was not excited to vote. As long known, I preferred a better election selection.
But what a beautiful thing to sit with my friend, to listen and learn from her, and amidst our differences, to realize how incredibly much we had in common… how we are a part of the same people group after all.
Respectfully…
AR