Identity Politics - Opinion on Articles Essay Example
INTRODUCTION The issue of identity has become challenging in feminist theory and practice over the past decade. Identity politics has become extensively criticized and even belittled by feminists of various opinions. Issues raised by identity and identity politics seem to be stubborn, failing to yield to any of the numerous solutions that have been proposed to resolve them. Problems that have come up as a result of identity and identity politics have become almost an obsession among feminists. Why?
DEFINITION OF IDENTITY POLITICS Race, ethnicity, region, gender, and sexual orientation all combine as marginalized identities that are drawn upon to rally political action. This is what identity politics is based upon. Kathryn Woodward writes, “Identity politics involve claiming one’s identity as a member of an oppressed or marginalized group as a political point of departure, and thus identity becomes a major factor in political mobilization” (Woodward 195).
PROS OF IDENTITY POLITICS
Concepts of Identity and Difference This article by Kathryn Woodward introduces the idea of identity politics and defines new social movements. Woodward writes that “such politics involve celebration of a group’s uniqueness” (Woodward 195). Each day, we interact with people from different backgrounds. They all have their own religious beliefs, their own sexual preferences, and their own political views. Though we are all different, there is generally some common ground among individuals. Groups exist where those with similarities can gather and share their thoughts, ideas, and feelings; whether it is about the language they speak, their major in university, or their ethnicity. Take for example our own university. There are various societies and clubs on campus where students can gather and share that one common thing among them. There are groups for those doing a French major, for students from Asia, for those who want to learn how to dance. The possibilities are
DEFINITION OF IDENTITY POLITICS Race, ethnicity, region, gender, and sexual orientation all combine as marginalized identities that are drawn upon to rally political action. This is what identity politics is based upon. Kathryn Woodward writes, “Identity politics involve claiming one’s identity as a member of an oppressed or marginalized group as a political point of departure, and thus identity becomes a major factor in political mobilization” (Woodward 195).
PROS OF IDENTITY POLITICS
Concepts of Identity and Difference This article by Kathryn Woodward introduces the idea of identity politics and defines new social movements. Woodward writes that “such politics involve celebration of a group’s uniqueness” (Woodward 195). Each day, we interact with people from different backgrounds. They all have their own religious beliefs, their own sexual preferences, and their own political views. Though we are all different, there is generally some common ground among individuals. Groups exist where those with similarities can gather and share their thoughts, ideas, and feelings; whether it is about the language they speak, their major in university, or their ethnicity. Take for example our own university. There are various societies and clubs on campus where students can gather and share that one common thing among them. There are groups for those doing a French major, for students from Asia, for those who want to learn how to dance. The possibilities are