Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day Everyone!

[BuckSparkles]

Oh, I wasn't bashing identity politics. I'm perfectly on board with the concept. My identity is both important to me and informs my politics. Someone who tells me it shouldn't isn't like to get very far with me.

Well racism will never go away then.

[GreenGoldSharpie]

Well racism will never go away then.

Assuming that race is part of that identity, are we?

[BuckSparkles]

Assuming that race is part of that identity, are we?

Irrelevant. Identity politics itself keeps racism and sexism going.

[Elegiac]

Where did I say that any form of racism was different? Racism is racism.

When you start addressing the social and institutional factors at play regarding racism, maybe you'll have something.

Communism largely destroyed itself, because it simply doesn’t work when humans are involved, which is something of a fundamental flaw.

This is a moralist (re: shallow and reductionist) reading of history. The reality is that no, at the time communism was hugely attractive especially to people that were economically and socially disadvantaged and that by addressing the root of the reasons why those ideologies were appealing far greater success was made than some artificially imposed effort at ideological purity.

Racism is declining, but advocates of identity politics are reversing that and now the far right are making a resurgence in response. If there is one thing the world doesn’t need it is their return, so well played to the identity politics advocate cretins.

Couldn't possibly be because the efforts at combating discrimination being successful is in of itself enough to provoke a reaction from the far right, could it. Again, "identity politics" is no more or no less present than it has been historically. What is a fairly novel thing is pretending that society is post-prejudice.

Actually, no...I seem to recall Pascal's bitching about men staying in their rooms and not causing trouble. So not a novel thing, a tired old thing that wasn't ever satisfactory to start with.

[GreenGoldSharpie]

Irrelevant. Identity politics itself keeps racism and sexism going.

Only to those who don't recognize that different experiences mold people in different ways. As a white person I have zero problems respecting the fact that black folks have different experiences and concerns. It's called affording someone respect.

[BuckSparkles]

Only to those who don't recognize that different experiences mold people in different ways. As a white person I have zero problems respecting the fact that black folks have different experiences and concerns. It's called affording someone respect.

Problem is everybody has different experiences and concerns. Can't neatly box groups of people up and label them. Assuming such is, gasp, racist.

But speaking to a wall I guess. They all think 100% alike, huh?

[NoRest4Wicked]

I appreciate the day off, well done all around.

[GreenGoldSharpie]

Problem is everybody has different experiences and concerns. Can't neatly box groups of people up and label them.

No, but allowing people to declare their own experiences and identities doesn't box up anyone.

[Daelak]

He was a great man, worthy of admiration. And yes, thanks to those who followed his advocacy of non violent and peaceful protests.

Lol, if you think the passing of the CRA and VRA were because of non-violent activism and deference to "law and order", then you are deluded.

[Kalis]

When you start addressing the social and institutional factors at play regarding racism, maybe you'll have something.

That is irrelevant as to whether or not racism is racism.

Are you one of those people who think racism against white people is acceptable, or that it isn’t possible?

This is a moralist (re: shallow and reductionist) reading of history. The reality is that no, at the time communism was hugely attractive especially to people that were economically and socially disadvantaged and that by addressing the root of the reasons why those ideologies were appealing far greater success was made than some artificially imposed effort at ideological purity.

Attractive to the uneducated perhaps.

Couldn't possibly be because the efforts at combating discrimination being successful is in of itself enough to provoke a reaction from the far right, could it.

No, we were making great strides against racism and the far right were dying off. It wasn’t until this nonsense became mainstream that the far right made a resurgence.

- - - Updated - - -

No, but allowing people to declare their own experiences and identities doesn't box up anyone.

That isn’t what identity politics does, rather it assumes that people of a particular race, gender or sexuality can be pigeonholed and spoken for as a group. It is the opposite of individuality.

A black man from a poor background will likely have more in common with a white man from a poor background, than with a black man from a wealthy background, but identity politics lumps the two black men together, because it is a shitty ideology.

It’s about the money. If you have it, you have privilege, regardless of race, gender or sexuality.

[GreenGoldSharpie]

That isn’t what identity politics does, rather it assumes that people of a particular race, gender or sexuality can be pigeonholed and spoken for as a group. It is the opposite of individuality.

No, it isn't. That's how the right defines identity politics, and they most certainly don't have the right to write that definition in stone. Mostly, when I hear the left talk about identity politics it's a drawing together of like minded individuals that have been singled out because of certain characteristics in order to lobby and articulate their positions in order to bring about changes in their favor -- be they social or political.

Frankly, all you'd have to do is look back on my posting history to get an idea of why I might chose to identify as a trans woman when talking about social or political issues. It's because people like me are generally treated like garbage to the point where when I get annoyed I simply take a break. I politicize that identity because I want to protect my healthcare, remain a respected member of society, and help those who have struggled the same way I have. It has little to do with anyone who stays out of my way.

[Kalis]

No, it isn't. That's how the right defines identity politics, and they most certainly don't have the right to write that definition in stone. Mostly, when I hear the left talk about identity politics it's a drawing together of like minded individuals that have been singled out because of certain characteristics in order to lobby and articulate their positions in order to bring about changes in their favor -- be they social or political.

They aren’t speaking solely for themselves, they take it upon themselves to speak for all black people, all gay men, etc. so you are wrong.

Identity politics advocates are self appointed representatives of groups which consist of people with diverse opinions, experiences and backgrounds. They can’t be represented in politics based on race, gender or sexuality, as their political views stretch from far left to far right and everything in between.

How can someone speak for both a black authoritarian and a black libertarian? They can’t, skin colour doesn’t determine how people think, hence why judging people by the content of their character and not skin colour is what Martin Luther King Jr called for. Identity politics advocates are doing the exact opposite of that.

Frankly, all you'd have to do is look back on my posting history to get an idea of why I might chose to identify as a trans woman when talking about social or political issues. It's because people like me are generally treated like garbage to the point where when I get annoyed I simply take a break. I politicize that identity because I want to protect my healthcare, remain a respected member of society, and help those who have struggled the same way I have. It has little to do with anyone who stays out of my way.

I don’t care what you are, I will judge you based on what you say and do.

[Elba]

So in order to prevent whitewashing the day, an article with lesser-known Martin Luther King Jr. quotes celebrate his radical politics

Examples:





Any many more

[Super Kami Dende]

MLK was a great dude who did much for America and Race Relations.

Though I do find it Ironic how many "progressives" are Celebrating him today, Considering anyone that I've seen that is always complaining about how bad "White People" are are literally going directly against everything MLK was for.

[Elba]

MLK was a great dude who did much for America and Race Relations.

Though I do find it Ironic how many "progressives" are Celebrating him today, Considering anyone that I've seen that is always complaining about how bad "White People" are are literally going directly against everything MLK was for.

Wrong:

[GreenGoldSharpie]

Identity politics advocates are doing the exact opposite of that.

I just pointed out how wrong you are. Either you don't believe me, or you think I'm wrong. Why not explain to me how what I said was actually wrong instead of making declarations about our goals, tactics, and ideals?

I won't explain it again, but I'll state that you're wrong. Spectacularly so, from what I've seen and been involved with. You'd be hard pressed, for example, to find me shitting on someone's faith or on white people.

I don’t care what you are, I will judge you based on what you say and do.

And many don't. That's the point and the problem. There is, using many trans folks as an example, a determined interest in interfering in our medical care and a more casual interest in laughing and mocking us.

Both push trans people together, for the record, and that creates blocks of those with similar concern that tend to advocate and vote for the same things. i.e. identity politics.

[Elba]

I just pointed out how wrong you are. Either you don't believe me, or you think I'm wrong. Why not explain to me how what I said was actually wrong instead of making declarations about our goals, tactics, and ideals?

He can only argue against straw men, not actual people.

[Sky High]

Gotta say it’s really adorable how conservatives are desperately clawing to make MLK into a republican when the guy was a staunch socialist and an anti imperialist.

“But no guys! He was a republican because...
because..

BUHCUZ...

[Super Kami Dende]

Wrong:

So you are saying he did judge people by their Colour, not their character? Which makes it even more ironic if "progressives" cheer him on as he was a Racist?

[Elba]

So you are saying he did judge people by their Colour, not their character? Which makes it even more ironic if "progressives" cheer him on as he was a Racist?

Actually he is judging people by their inaction here.