Why Identity Politics is wrong?

         Identity politics has been established in our society for a very long time. It effects most of everything humans do in their life from tiny to big cases. As we let identity politics’ root grow too deep, we are nearly blind to the serious drawbacks lying beneath it. Then why people keeps considering the existence of identity politics is normal? It is because they have not seen a whole view of how identity politics is formed and shapes the society.

Through the article “When identity politics is rational?” by Stanley Fish, we have a broad look on what identity politics is. “Identity politics is an affirmation of the tribe against the claims of ideology…” He also presents the two simple types, which are “tribal” and “interest”, based on some evidences of how residents vote for their candidates nowadays. Obviously, Fish is not the only one who joins in the “stopping identity politics” battle. Yet, his analysis only describes the surface of this issue. Through the explanation about the relationship between identity politics with culture, experience and power in “Identity Politics” research by Mary Bernstein, we can observe a whole progress of how identity politics is constructed, and understand why it must be stopped.

Besides the two types of identity politics, which Stanley Fish has introduced above, Elliott Tzedek, the author of “Identity politics and racism: some thoughts and questions” article, also brings up some categories to show the wrong structure that identity politics has mold this world. One significant reason for identity politics to take control in humans’ life is because of our education. So how the young generations are taught about identity politics? Elif Shafak, a famous Turkish author and speaker, has shared her life experiences about this issue through a TED talk show called “The politics of fiction”. According to this speech, because most of people on this earth love to read about the author’s identity played as a character in the novel they read. They also expect that character will represent for something greater not only in the book, but also in society. Due to this trend, many writers nowadays feel very pressure when it comes to create a sketch for their new book. Since people tend to pass stories from generation to generation, the storyteller will be the one who shapes the future of mankind’s society based on what he/she writes his/her stories. This can also be considered as an explanation for the existence of identity politics. One solution that Elif Shafak withdraws from her personal experiences to avoid identity politics is that “we should get out of our cultural ghetto and go visit the next one and the next.”

            Identity politics is a sensitive topic to discuss in public since this can be offensive towards some people’ idea. Its serious drawbacks must be revealed and fixed. However, before finding the solution, humans need to understand why identity politics is wrong, so they can accept that truth without feeling coercive.