Wilma de Soto
Jul 27, 2017 · 4 min read

Your argument is well-thought out. However, I must differ with a few of the points that you make.

“The true intent of Identity Politics — as it was originally formulated by the Frankfurt Schoolers and later on the postmodernists — was POWER.”

  • This statement is correct, however people in minority communities seek EQUITY or PARITY as opposed to POWER over the dominant culture. This is a key difference between them and the White Nationalist Movement which does seek power, and particularly power over the minority communities in the United States.

“What ‘Identity Politics’ really means, in this sense, is the SUBJUGATION OF INDIVIDUAL IDENTITY TO GROUP IDENTITY. It is more important that a person belongs to Group A, than a person is an ‘individual.’”

  • We are all individuals, however some of us have NEVER been given that luxury to exist and survive in this country as individuals. Many of us are inextricably tied to the group no matter what one may accomplish as an individual. This comes more from the dominant culture than from fellow members of a minority group.
  • To wit, a famous Harvard professor being arrested inside his own home because he was upset that a policeman accused him of breaking and entering it. The professor was not considered deferential enough to said policeman.
  • An African-American President not being considered qualified for the position or even a citizen even though he had been a Senator, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Law and Columbia University, and President of the prestigious Harvard Law Review.
  • An African-American professor in Arizona arrested on campus for allegedly “jaywalking.”
  • A judge considered to be unfit to determine a case in which the President was involved because he was of Mexican origin.
  • Successful minorities are an anathema to many Whites in this country. They are considered to be uppity and must be broken down to the lowest common denominator and relegated to, “the group.” So much for individuality.

“A black person named William has beliefs that do not correspond with the ‘official’ belief systems of the Group ‘Black People,’ as characterized primarily by the ideological left. For example: Will does not believe that the legacy of slavery has much to do with current socio-economic problems in the American black community. (Generally speaking.) People in the official group known as ‘Black People’ denigrate Will, call him names, label him a sellout or whatever . . . because he is BREAKING THE ESTABLISHED RULES OF THE GROUP. He is not a ‘real’ black person, because he does not agree with the beliefs of the Group known as ‘Black People.’”

  • White Supremacy is an equal opportunity thing. One does not have to be White to be a White Supremacist. When people of color identify or espouse White Supremacist beliefs, they inflict harm on the community because White people will use this as a sort of “proof” that there is no racism and all issues are of the community’s own doing while continuing to perpetuate racist policies that harm the community.
  • That is why people are called out on this. We all do not think alike to be sure and we are not expected to all think alike. However, we do not expect persons of the community to commiserate with those, (for lack of a better example), who are throwing our people into gas chambers, by telling them they are right and that they brought this on themselves.
  • Survival depends and has depended on group identity for many people; not power, survival.

“Finally, the idea that ‘Groups’ can be defined in ever narrowing terms means that Identitarian Politics is an untenable strategy. There’s ‘Black People.’ Then there’s ‘Black Gay People.’ Then there’s ‘Black Lesbians.’ Then there’s ‘Non-binary gender people of color,’ and you can basically keep going until there are an infinite number of groups — all apparently competing for power. You can see this now in the gay rights world, where ‘gay rights’ is now ‘LGBTQ rights.’ How long will this abbreviation become? 50 letters? 100 letters? How long will it be, before it becomes meaningless?

  • That I cannot tell you. It is not for me to say or judge. When people are new to determining themselves, there’s bound to be mistakes, glitches, or bumps in the road. They will have to work things out themselves.

“I am not a fan of contemporary Identity Politics. I think it’s laughably reductive, in terms of how it defines the human condition. I think it‘s morally and intellectually lazy, and I believe that most of the people who agree with the Identity Politics paradigm (consciously or unconsciously) have been conned.”

  • You should be grateful that you have not had to consider this in your life or your family’s life. You should be glad that you have had the advantage to see yourself as simply you, just you, and not have been singled out as “the other”, while you strive for being seen as just an individual.
  • For those of us who have not have that advantage and are striving for equity, we salute you.