The Problem With Identity Politics by Stephen Tomkinson

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   Misbah786posted 2 years ago

   Please take some time to read this interesting article by Stephen  Tomkinson.
   
   Here's the link for others to read and give their valuable feedbacks:
   
   https://discover.hubpages.com/politics/ … y-Politics
   
   Stephen is a new member of the HubPages community. I'm sorry Stephen, but currently we are unable to interact on Hubs through comments. Meanwhile, the community is using forums to get feedbacks, and we can only post for each other and cannot promote our own as Tsmog mentioned in the previous forum post. Anyways, Welcome to HubPages.
   
   Best wishes!!

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      Stephen Tomkinsonposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Misbah. Live and learn, as they say.

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         Misbah786posted 2 years agoin reply to this

         No problem.
         Stay Blessed!!

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         Credence2posted 2 years agoin reply to this

         Hi Stephen, I read your article it was good, but I do have a point or two to make. I will use the example of the Black Women. Yes, there would be different needs and objectives between the Black woman as a Washington DC attorney and the waitress in Alabama. There would be differing concerns between the white feminist movement and the differing concerns of Black women.
         
         We all have aspirations and we must all be Balkanized to an individual level, it is human nature. But, here in the US, in a two party system, all of these woman would come gather together to have their grievances addressed by the one party of the two who would be willing to listen. While the other party would either ignore them all or meet their issues and concerns with hostility. So, despite disparate views and objectives, taking structural inequity seriously along with social justice will bring them all in for the most part under one banner. The adversary on the outside is far more problematic then the relative differences amongst them. So, we put aside our difference with the goal of defeating a common foe.
         
         For the most part, the only real identity politics involve Right vs. Left and within that reality it is easy to choose your side because there is a virtual chasm between the two ideological foundations.

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      Misbah786posted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Stephen, I agree with you that what unites us is more powerful than what divides us. We must find some common ground where everyone is treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. Thank you so much for sharing!
      
      Blessings to you!!

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      Sharlee01posted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Can we find some common ground or are we seeing a rift that will always divide us? At this point, I feel ideologies are so far apart in America that there will be no coming together.  Some that lean left use the word "woke" frequently.  This actually does give a hint to what I feel is going on.  Those that created this social wokeness might want to look around. The people on the other side of the chasm have also had an epiphany. No, it is true the other side does not need to coin their feelings or ideologies with a cute name. But, all the same, are very committed to what they believe and have the same commitment as the ones that are on that other side.  So I would not think at this point in our history we will come together.
      
      I enjoyed your article, it was offered lots of food for thought.
      
      Welcome to Hubpages !

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      CHRIS57posted 2 years agoin reply to this

      What a great and eye opening article.
      
      Thanks to Stephen for the insight and to Misbah for drawing attention to this topic.
      
      As much common sense the article may express, isn´t there a growing concern of minorities that they are excluded from political processes? Isn´t it amplified by our use of social media? Social media being a platform where minorities can easily assemble and at the same time remain personally distant.
      
      I think the personal distance associated to the internet very much helps in creating identity groups and politics who cruelly reject the personal thoughts, the fears of others, in other word the personal dignity of others.
      
      Just a thought.

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   Jodahposted 2 years ago

   What a wonderful article that speaks so much common sense, Stephen. Identity politics does my head in. Thank you so much for sharing, we so badly need to find a middle ground on all of this if it is possible.
   Thank you for sharing the link, Misbah.

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      Misbah786posted 2 years agoin reply to this

      My Pleasure

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   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 2 years ago

   Hi, Credence2. What you describe is certainly how it should be. Perhaps I wasn't sufficiently clear in my article (I am a little uncomfortable about some of what I wrote) - my contention is that identity politics is damaging common concerns and switching the focus from broad issues to much narrower ones.
   The Suffragette movement concentrated on votes for women, not black, white, or Russian women - women.
   I think we need to address the broader issues first.
   Steve

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      Credence2posted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, Steve,  the broader issue has to be foremost, however in the example of Woman's Suffrage, it was well known that advocacy at the time regarding votes for women left out participation by Black women.
      
      So, it was necessary to have a splinter group that was composed of principled men like Frederick Douglass and leading Black female civil rights leaders to prod the Suffragette movement dominated by white women to advocate for universal female suffrage and put the idea of race off the table.
      
      But neither of the splinter groups seeking suffrage for women were going to get an audience with those that were patriarchal and would not even consider the issue.
      
      So often times, there is not a consensus on even the broadest of issues.
      
      https://www.history.com/news/suffragist … lack-women

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   Nathanvilleposted 2 years ago

   An interesting article; thanks for sharing.
   
   I am from Britain, and while reading the article I kept thinking of the ‘Liberal Democrats’ as the ‘middle ground’ in British Politics e.g. If you are a socialist, or have left wing views or values e.g. Social or Environmental issues then in England you’d tend to be attracted to the left-wing Labour Party or the Green Party.  While, if you have capitalist/nationalist views etc., then the right-wing Conservative Party would be more appealing. 
   
   However, if you’re views are moderate (and not extreme) then the Liberal Democrats (a centralist politic party in British Politics) is very attractive as their political ideology is a mixed economy (supporting both moderate capitalist and socialist values).
   
   Also, I do favour multi-party democracy, especially where they use ‘proportional representation’ as it often leads to different political parties having to ‘power share’ e.g. work together.

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      Stephen Tomkinsonposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Hi, Nathanville. I too am British, although I don't live there any longer. You're right to say that centrist parties offer moderate policies. Unfortunately, moderate policies imply consensus and the political scene in many countries is becoming too polarized too allow for agreement on even broad issues.
      Steve

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         Nathanvilleposted 2 years agoin reply to this

         That’s why I wish we had proportional representation in the UK; then at least the middle, more moderate, parties would get better representation.
         
         Brexit being a prime example of polarised politics that’s divided the UK, leaving wounds that’ll not heal for a generation – not just politics but families too e.g. caused deep division between grandparents and grandchildren as 70% of those over 65 voted for Brexit, and 70% of those under 25 voted to remain within the EU.
         
         For the last two years with the pandemic, all opposition political parties have given their support to the UK Government in fighting a common enemy; which makes a refreshing change. 
         
         Also, on issues such as Renewable Energy, the UK Conservative Government has been uncharacteristically pro-Environment for a right-wing ‘capitalist’ Government, so quite naturally they’ve had full support from the opposition parties on these issues.
         
         The main area in the UK in recent years that’s polarized British Politics (apart from Brexit) has mainly been the Welfare State.  I guess across the EU its Hungry that springs to my mind as perhaps being the most politically polarised country; what do you think? 
         
         Good to hear from another Brit; how is it in Spain, better weather I’m sure – This week is the first week we’ve seen any sun since early November.

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   Misbah786posted 2 years ago

   Thank you so much everyone for starting this discussion

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      Stephen Tomkinsonposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks to you for initiating it.

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   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 2 years ago

   You give some good examples - it is possible to work together on big issues. Poland, too, seems to be splitting into two camps,
   The vote for Brexit came as a big surprise to me - perhaps it shouldn't have done. But I'll never understand why such an important decision was allowed to be decided by a simple majority.
   Sunny but cold here In Valencia,

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      Nathanvilleposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your feedback, yes I have heard of some of the political turmoil  in Poland; I quite often dip into the EuroNews Channel (broadcasting from France) to get an EU view on European events.
      
      Yes, making a major constitutional change, such as Brexit, should never be done on a simple majority; a classical example of a political right-wing government riding roughshod over democracy.

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