IDENTITY POLITICS: HARMFUL OR BENEFICIAL
Purpose: The purpose of this post is to explore the topic of identity politics and its relations to the impending elections. Most of all, it provides an opportunity to evaluate the pros and cons of identity politics.
- Discussion post due by 11:59pm on Sunday.
- Replies are not due for this post
- You post should be 1-1.5 pages only
Complete the steps below to submit your post:
Step 1: View the two videos below that provide differing perspectives on identity politics
What are identity politics? (Links to an external site.)
Why Identity Politics in the 2020 Election Aren’t a Bad Thing | Opinions | NowThis (Links to an external site.)
Identity Politics Must Come to an End | DIRECT MESSAGE | Rubin Report (Links to an external site.)
Step 2: Based on the content presented in videos, what is your stance on identity politics. Is it harmful or beneficial (be sure to cite examples for the videos shown
Sep 3. Discuss the way that you think racial polarization, disenfranchisement, and coded language connected to the idea of identity politics. (provide a short definition of racial polarization, disenfranchisement, and coded language in your own words)
Step 4 Discuss What role you think race will play in voting patterns and voter turnout in this year.
Step 5: Discuss ways in which you recognize how political campaigns have shifted from class-based appeals to race-based appeals (consider the 2008-current elections and campaigns)
Step 6: Discuss the idea of identity politics with a few people you know and what is a common response? What stood out to you in your discussion regarding similarities and differences in responses. (I suggest taking to folks from different generations, genders, race/ethnicity etc.
Step 7. Discuss how you feel intersections of your own identity influence your political stance.
- Please Note: I am not suggesting that you put yourself or anyone else in harm’s way to conduct an interview. A conversation with someone in your household or a phone call to someone you know is perfectly fine. We are still in a pandemic folks.








Jermaine Byrant
Nicole Johnson



