Identity politics harm the oppressors as well as the ones they target
There are more than 7 billion people living on this planet, with only an estimated 318 million residing in the United States of America, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Despite only housing 4.5 percent of the world’s population, the U.S. government has positioned itself to police the world and dictate the lives of others. This mentality has seeped down to all levels of government and community life, even plaguing us at the individual level.
It’s a game I like to call identity politics. In most cases it primarily oppresses the targets. But in truth, it affects everyone involved.
We’ve been doing it this way so why change it? “Don’t do that because of this.” “You should live like this because of that.” I see, hear and read about it happening all time.
Since the beginning of the same-sex marriage debate, many opponents have argued that the institution of marriage has since its inception been a union between one man and one woman. I’m guessing those people never heard of evolution — but that’s a topic for another conversation.
The Texas GOP recently voted in favor of “reparative therapy,” a practice that, it’s proponents claim, converts homosexuals to heterosexuals.
On top of that, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is Republican, has likened gays and lesbians to alcoholics.
Such statements and actions imply that gays and lesbians are broken and can be fixed. But who the heck are they to say LGBT people need fixin’? As a gay man, I don’t feel one bit broken.
I’ve always wondered why so many people feel the need to tell others how they should live their lives. I can empathize when there is a need to protect other people’s safety. But there’s absolutely no harm to anyone, what is the problem?
LGBT people have always been, and the world hasn’t stopped spinning. The 20 states that have approved same-sex marriage all still seem to be operational with no harm to the masses.
One of the most disparaging campaigns I’ve seen recently in identity politics is the war on Beyonce’s baby daughter, Blue Ivy, and her hair.
There has been lots of Internet chatter and memes poking fun at Blue’s hair and taking jabs at Beyonce and Jay-Z for allowing her hair to exist in such condition. Some are even calling it child abuse. A petition calling for the toddler’s parents to comb her hair surfaced on the site change.org.
I support natural hair. I wear my own hair that way. So I didn’t see a problem with baby Blue’s hair. But I’m also quite familiar with the questionable comments and nasty stares as I get on occasion as a result.
In my opinion, the real problem behind all of this is ignorance. And ignorance is a form of oppression.
But ignorance is only a problem if it goes untested.
People too often reject the unfamiliar and project the familiar because what’s familiar is comfortable. Whether it’s religious and philosophical beliefs, academic standards, behavioral norms, or fashion choices, most people only draw from their own experiences. It’s almost like they’re trying to create other people in their own image, as if they’re a deity.
Instead of people projecting their own identity — or reality if you will — onto others, I think it’d be best to see things from others’ perspective. See the bigger picture by choosing not to judge. Ask respectful questions if you need understanding.
Those who feel they can tell others how to live their lives not only oppress the people their campaigning for but also oppress themselves. When you rid people of the opportunity to be their authentic self, you forgo the opportunity for creating an authentic experience with them.
I am asking you to join me in calling for love and acceptance for all 7 billion people in the world today. Be a liberator, not an oppressor.
Jalenzski Brown is United Black Element program coordinator at Resource Center.