Language
Country/Area
No result found
The origins of identity politics: What is the hidden story of the 1970s?
Identity politics, defined as political action based on specific identities (such as race, gender, religion, and social background), has transformed our understanding of social justice and equality. The term first appeared in the 1970s, but the story and cultural changes behind it are little known.
“Identity politics allows society to better understand different forms of oppression based on demographics.”
The first emergence of identity politics
The concept of identity politics was first proposed by the Combahee River Collective in the United States in 1977. This group of black women believed that "our understanding of our own identity is at the core of our political struggle." Their insights highlight different kinds of oppressive relationships, particularly the intersection of gender and race oppression against Black people. This way of thinking quickly spread to broader social movements such as women’s rights, civil rights, and the LGBTQ movement.With the rise of social movements in the 1970s, identity politics was redefined and developed. Many activists began to use their identities to express the injustice and inequality they suffered. However, this approach has also caused a lot of controversy.
“Political mobilization based on identity confirmation leads to superficial redistribution but fails to challenge the status quo.”
Criticism of identity politics
Identity politics has been criticized from across the political spectrum, particularly from the center-right and the far left. In part, this criticism argues that identity politics can lead to divisions between ethnic groups, thereby undermining the possibility of joint action and solidarity.For example, some socialists argue that identity politics focuses on the problems faced by individual identities while ignoring broader inequalities due to economic class. This view holds that the focus of politics should return to comprehensive changes in the economic system rather than just from an identity perspective.
“Identity politics often leads to the reproduction and re-emergence of essentialist notions of identity.”
The diversity of identity politics
Current identity politics is not limited to just one identity, and many activists advocate for intersecting perspectives to describe different systems of oppression. These perspectives argue that by recognizing and understanding the impact of identity intersections, people can more effectively fight back against the structural injustices in society.For example, black women’s identity is not only the result of racial oppression, but they are also persecuted by gender discrimination. This complex identity makes their experiences central to discussions of identity politics.
“Many contemporary advocates argue that identity politics helps spotlight the experiences of those facing systemic oppression.”
Social movements in the 1970s and their impact
Accompanying identity politics are social movements related to indigenous culture, gender equality, and civil rights. The rise of these movements also led to the birth of new political vocabulary and social consciousness. Against this backdrop, identity politics has gradually become the name of many struggles.In the 1970s, many women, especially women of color, began to question the unity of the so-called "female experience." This desire for a variety of voices led to a diversification of voices, especially at a time when the civil rights movement was combined with the feminist movement.
“The most profound and powerful politics in our struggles come from our identities, not from the work of ending the oppression of others.”
Identity politics today
As society progresses, the definition and meaning of identity politics continues to evolve. Today, social media provides a larger platform for the spread of identity politics, and important movements such as #BlackLivesMatter highlight the urgency and importance of identity issues in today's society.However, the diversity of identity politics has also sparked new debates about how to find common ground across different identities and collaborate effectively. For example, how can political actors promote connections across groups while emphasizing identity and jointly fight larger structural injustices?
"The use of identity politics as a tool is to challenge the stereotypes and restrictions imposed on us by the outside world."
In an ever-changing political environment, identity politics remains at the forefront of debate and practice. How will future generations view these intersections of identity and power?
