“Identity politics is both simple and hard to define, partially because it’s been so demonized by American conservatives. Because identity politics is ultimately a political concept, to fully understand why identity politics is important, we should start by defining power”(Garza 186). When I think about the term Identity politics, I think about the way one follows certain “politics” based upon who and how they identify as. I added the previous line from the text because something that stood out to me was Garza saying that identity politics is a political concept. Although there are certain political concepts, set down and applied, ultimately an individual is who decides what they will do based upon what they resonate with/believe in. It got me into thinking about how it influences ones day to day life. Things like religion and culture are playing a role when it comes down to identity politics because they are things that influence ones way of living. In other words, aside from what we decided to live by, it can also be things that society will look at and “paint a picture” of who and how we are as an individual being. A lot of people can often feel out of place when they try to identify who they are. Society could tell them a certain image they believe a person to be while others can paint a different perspective on them. An example could be seen in the reading “Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black To Be Latina” where a bi-racial person takes us to see some of the struggles they have faced when it came down to how society can see them vs how they feel.
4 thoughts on “Sofia Arista-Juarez Discussion 11”
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Sofia,
It is so interesting to read your take on identity politics. I like how you broke down “identity” & “politics” then brought them back together again. I thought you tied in “Too Latina to be Black, Too Black to be Latina” very well as an example of how society can tend to make so many feel left out by deciding what’s “white” and therefore excluding a huge proportion of the population. I now am seeing how it actually really helps to read others take-away from the readings because although I found it interesting and clear, it’s adding to this knowledge through the perspective and explanation of others.
I agree with you because religion and culture really influence us and are the things that while we are growing up we always have present in our minds and when we get old are the things we always remember.
Hi Sofia!
I like the quote you used explaining how we must define power before fully understanding identity politics because that is the root of it all. Those who are in power control how we view ourselves and one another, creating a barrier between what is expected versus what is inherently natural.
Hey Sofia,
I really liked the way you brought up the fact that a lot of people feel out of place when coming into terms with their identity, or don’t really know who they are. I one hundred percent agree with the point you made that society sometimes manipulates how we see ourselves, and also other people’s perspectives of ourself can change the way we view ourselves too.