Recent New York Times columns by David Brooks and Pamela Paul identified what they believe is a chasm between “liberalism” and “progressivism.” Their theses are echoed throughout the media, often alluding to stultifying political correctness on college campuses. Typically, the analyses include the phrase “identity politics,” accusing political progressives of living in siloes, reducing life to racial, ethic, gender or sexual identities.
This is an excellent rejoinder to the right-wing and left-wing politicians’ and intellectuals’ efforts to protect themselves and their “vulnerable children” from facing the truths of non-white Americans’ life experience. Taking refuge from examining the existence and origin of our country’s racist structures in platitudes of unity and professions of “I don’t see race, you do,” is mere avoidance of willing ignorance or vile politicizing of half-truths for personal gain.
This is an excellent rejoinder to the right-wing and left-wing politicians’ and intellectuals’ efforts to protect themselves and their “vulnerable children” from facing the truths of non-white Americans’ life experience. Taking refuge from examining the existence and origin of our country’s racist structures in platitudes of unity and professions of “I don’t see race, you do,” is mere avoidance of willing ignorance or vile politicizing of half-truths for personal gain.