OK... I have had so many different answers when I ask what “Identity Politics” is, I thought I’d run it by the Kos community.
As a white male, I voted for Hillary in the primary and the general because I believed she was the most qualified to be President. I was EXCITED to vote for Hillary because she was a woman as well - it was going to be the last domino to fall before 100% of the populace could be considered "electable" regardless of their race or gender (religion being a more complicated consideration at this point). But it seems like liberal Democrats are getting wrapped around the axle by the election result and over-thinking it. We are in an age of populism, and Hillary was never a populist. The people wanted a populist so much that Trump was able to squeak in through a door left barely ajar by the Electoral College, Republican voter disenfranchisement, and James Comey. So, IMHO we Democrats must 1. confirm we are the party of tolerance while we stand in solidarity with minority communities under threat by a Trump presidency, 2. coordinate a MASSIVE voter (re-)registration and education drive to ensure disenfranchisement is minimized under the suppressive laws enacted by Republicans, 3. label the Republican Party as the party of bigots and billionaires (they earned it), 4. run and support populist candidates that speak to local issues IN EVERY DISTRICT IN ALL 50 STATES, and finally, 5. DON'T PANIC. If we keep our heads and work hard, the Republicans are in deep shit in 2018.
Am I playing identity politics or not? If we “abandon identity politics” what aspects of this to-do list change, if any? I’ll take your comments off the air.
Saturday, Dec 3, 2016 · 3:03:30 AM +00:00
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ptolemynm
Given the variety of explanations, and definitions I’ve seen for “identity politics,” just in comments here, I’m coming down on the side of punching people in the nose when they mention it… Either they don’t know what they are talking about or they will hopelessly confuse their listeners… Either way, not helpful… FOCUS!!!! Dems stand for “tolerance” or “solidarity” or whatever, Republicans (now) stand for white supremacy. The Republicans should be very, very afraid.