In “The Power of Identity Politics” by Alicia Garza defines the term “identity politics” as “a way to describe the lived experiences of people who are not white, heterosexual, cisgender men. The “identity” in identity politics is a way of describing what it means to live outside what has been defined as the norm in the United States” America was built on white identity politics. From the creation of this country, white cisgender heterosexual christian men have been exploiting and murdering all other races. America was built on the backs of Black women, and Black men played a huge role in the war fighting for America’s independence.She shares that the idea of “identity politics” has been demonized by conservatives because it threatens their status quo, power and way of life. She cites the Combahee River Collective for first bringing forth the idea of “interlocking oppressions” as black lesbian feminists. The different layers of oppression interact with each other to shape how we experience the world, and that is why things like race, gender and sexuality cannot be left out of the conversation.

Aleichia Williams’ article “Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black to be Latina” resonated with me because I’ve had similar social struggles as a bi-racial person. I am Asian and Latinx, and I’ve never been “enough” for either side. This was exacerbated on both sides of my extended family because my sister and I were the ONLY mixed ethnicity/race individuals on either side. In school, most friend groups were made up of people of the same ethnicity or race that flocked together. Because I am biracial and ONLY speak English, I was often seen as “Fake Asian/Latinx” and regularly socially excluded/ostracized. Race can be an aspect of oppression and being multi-racial can add nuances to that, especially depending on whatever race you read as to the public and your peers. Like Williams, I am now learning to embrace all parts of my identity, and not let people invalidate it and shove me in a box. 

As for future topics, I would love to delve more further into  gender + disability justice and healthcare discrimination/dismissal of (BIPOC and fat) women.
I would also love to talk more about and hear others’ thoughts on the ideas that “Real Men eat meat” and “Vegetarianism is feminine/emasculating/just for women”
Where do you think this comes from? What are the implications of these gender stereotypes?