Identity is usually defined as recognizing one’s own and others’ personalities and character. Then there are identity politics connected to race, religion, and other factors that define someone that can position them in a certain group. The author breaks down identity politics based on the text called “The Power of Identity Politics,” the author breaks down identity politics. The author begins to discuss the concept of what is power. Power has two definitions, which are “..the ability to make decisions that affect your own life and the lives of others, the freedom to shape and determine the story of who we are.” and then “..the ability to reward and punish and decide how resources are distributed.” Then the “identity” in identity politics is about what it means to live outside of the norm by the United States.
Identity and power correlate because one’s identity is the extent of how much power we are allowed to have and if we are willing to put our interest in it. The white people had the most control because everything was up to their standards, definitions, and people who didn’t illustrate those standards were the outsiders who were affected or experimented on to see the result of control or destruction. But then, if we, colored people, go against those standards and what is defined as the “core organization of America,” we use the same strategies and tactics that are causing our oppression that we seek to destroy. I think this topic of identity politics goes back to the idea of privilege. Whether it is deserved or not, there are some advantages and special rights towards white people that they don’t realize they have that define their power, identity, authority. Not to say white people don’t struggle just as people of color do. Still, everything has its own narrative that challenges the cultural norms or issues created by the white race. If it weren’t for this or by them, we wouldn’t be having such controversial discussions, movements, and even conversations. The examinations of the past trauma will help discuss how we change this and move forward. If we don’t, we will continuously move in the same cycle of the “identity” that holds weight into America’s work, organization, etc., and platform.
A snapshot that I really connected with and stood out to me the most was Allison Williams’s snapshot. Amara La Negra is a world-famous singer, personality tv star, and performer. She’s always discussed and expressed public acknowledgment about the hair; the grows out of her head and skin complexion. She has always faced the idea of colorism and racism because of her appearance. In the text of “To Latina To Be Black,” a quote that stood out to me was, ” Even now as an adult, I find people are constantly trying to restrict me into a specific mold and identity. My home language is Spanish, so this must mean I eat tacos. I have kinky hair, so this must mean I bang to Meek Mill. For many, I am too black to be Latin and too Latin to be black.” Amara has always spoken about her experience with growing up in Latin and African communities. She never fit in any cultural or racial group because she spoke Spanish, her complexion was too dark, and her hair was too kinky. Especially when she was on a reality tv show, her co-star even wanted her to change her appearance to be another world-famous African American singer or even another Hispanic singer. Because someone challenged her identity, it provoked a universal impact and conversation to discuss the Afro-Latina background and culture.
