Identity Politics Has Failed Us

A critical examination of the grip political tribalism has on our culture

By Panashe Matemba-Mutasa

If there’s one thing politicians are good at, it’s leveraging identity politics. I mean, think about it—they have already convinced us that the gamut of political opinion can be confined to a two-part “left and right” compass—that social, economic, and human rights issues can be color-coded with either a “red” or “blue” stamp of approval. Unfortunately, too many of us have fallen victim to this political model, pigeonholing ourselves into ideologies based on race, gender, religion, and class. As opposed to casting policy-centered, well-informed votes, we place a premium on candidates’ labels of “Democrat” or “Republican.” And while these labels indicate core values shared by their respective parties, it is important that we see them for what they are: mere labels. A label won’t solve climate change or cancel student loan debt. It is the person holding the label that will.

The term has sparked endless debate in the Twittersphere, but what exactly does it mean? Simply put, identity politics describes the tendency for individuals possessing certain social identities to align themselves with politics that serve those identities. Often, those engaging in identity politics have tunnel vision with regards to their beliefs. It is a form of political tribalism that rigidly assigns values and ideas to specific groups. This way of thinking is eroding the fabric of our society.

By associating key social movements with particular parties, we alienate those not affiliated with said parties. Take the Black Lives Matter movement, for example. The politicization of Black Lives Matter suggests that the humanity of black lives is up for debate. It has given non-liberals a space to feel comfortable with—and even perpetuate—anti-blackness. Similarly, the neo-conservative politicization of the church has distanced Democratic Christians, as Republicans now seemingly have the monopoly on evangelism.

Are there Republicans who are capable of loving black people or Democrats who are unapologetic Christians? Absolutely. The issue is that we have allowed politics to define every aspect of our beliefs. Subjects that should be personal (such as a person’s religion) now hold immense political weight. And as opposed to being addressed as the human rights emergency that it is, violence committed against black lives is reduced to a “leftist” Twitter think piece. And the issues don’t stop here.

Another way in which identity politics poses a threat is in our government. For decades, the trend has been for youth and people of color to lean Democratic, while older Americans and white Christians tend to vote Republican. Political candidates therefore do not feel the need to earn our votes through policies and proposals. They’ve picked up on our voting patterns. They know that as long as they victimize our identities, they will secure our votes.

In this way, identity politics has absolved politicians of accountability. They tap into the values and desires of our demographics with pseudo-profound buzzwords designed to give the illusion of “change.” And because we’re already subscribed to a political ideology, we align ourselves with whichever candidate’s words entice us more. The problem? It stops there. These politicians know that they do not need to create change in order to be elected. They simply have to talk about it.

This is why identity politics has failed us. By being complacent in the politicization of social issues, we’ve communicated that advocating for the lives of human beings is optional. In our elections, we’ve become so comfortable with politicians’ words that striving for action seems futile.

The solution is to depoliticize our identities. It starts with an introspective evaluation. If you identify as a Democrat or Republican, ponder your allegiance to your political party of choice. Do you believe your values perfectly fit the prescribed mold of your party? Have you ever felt indebted to a politician because of how they appeal to your identity?

By rejecting the socially constructed political confines of our identities, we become more socially competent. When we collectively decide that words and symbols just won’t cut it, we become immune to political pandering tactics. It is then, and only then, that we are able to demand more from our elected officials and call for real change.