Morning Thought: identity politics

Morning Thought: Seems to me the only people who call “identity politics” divisive are those who have used identity in the past to exclude. They think the tables are being turned when in reality it’s people coming to power who recognize a diversity of identity in order to acknowledge and include.

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Followup thought: “feeling excluded” and “being excluded” are also two very different things. And properly making these kinds of distinctions is critical.

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Apparently my brain isn't done with this yet: You won't feel excluded, even while you are being actively excluded, if you never thought or knew you belonged "there" in the first place. That's why there are women who actively support patriarchal systems, and persons of colour who actively support racist ones... it's easier when you "know your place" and just figure out how to work the system the best that you can. Conversely, you might feel left out, even in a place purpose-built for you, if changes start being made that aren't for you and might even inconvenience you a little... it's harder to know your place if your external supports start changing and you've never had to define it internally for yourself.

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And for the record, the place where this is most visceral to me is in my identity as a man, and recognizing how much easier my life is within this society as a result.

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