task

THEORY/ CONTEXT: Make a blog post and write 300-500 words expressing your view on identity politics and culture wars. How does it impact society? Describe some of the positive aspects of groups harnessing their shared identity and political views as well some of the dangers of tribalism dividing communities. Provide examples both for and against, reference sources used and include images. Try and frame the debate both within a global and local perspective.

essay

Identity politics is a term that describes a political approach wherein people of a particular religion, race, social background, class or other identifying factor form exclusive socio-political alliances. Its aim is to support the concerns, agendas, and projects of particular groups, in accord with specific social and political changes. 

In my opinion, depending on how you look at it, identity politics could have both positive and negative impacts on society. On one hand, it is a threat to those in power, since it destabilises the amount of control said people have. While on the other hand, it unites minority groups, making individuals who feel alone, have a safe area for those who are the same.  

Some positives of groups harnessing their shared identity would be a way to make said groups feel more confident, understanded and empowered. It also acts as a safe space for all those who feel or are the same way. While this is a very positive aspect of identity policy, others may not view it as such since it takes away power from those in control. 

An example of identity politics would be the suffragette’s movement. This was a group of women who were fighting to get women the right to vote. They would parade the streets and take risky actions in hope to get their points across (one event was when a suffragette jumped in front of a horse race in order to bring attention to their movement). Once they were given the right to vote, it took some power from men, who were originally the only voters at the time. Some saw their movement as unnecessarily violent while others viewed it as a necessary evil in order to achieve their goal of gaining women more rights and freedom.