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It is tricky at first, but one must learn to accept both that there is only one human race, and also that some people are so bigoted that they will treat skin c

It is tricky at first, but one must learn to accept both that there is only one human race, and also that some people are so bigoted that they will treat skin colors and countries of origin as excuses for denying human rights. The article's best line is, "O’Brien ends up reinforcing the very idea he wants to challenge: that someone’s identity must define their politics." Because classical liberals are encouraged to selfishly vote along their identity lines, they become inured to the idea that we live in a society and we need to vote in ways that improve all of our lives.

throwaway894345 6y ago
I’m not sure about classical liberals, but this is generally the same concern I have with respect to the identity-obsessed strain of progressivism—that it conditions everyone to reject their broader collective identity (humans, citizens, etc) in exchange for racial identity, and to ultimately vote and lobby on behalf of their race. Further, proponents of these kinds of views regularly make arguments that suggest that race tells us about one’s politics (the same sort of idea TFA rails against), experiences, wealth/privileges, and even competence and virtue (consider the “white male” sneer). This is bad juju.
ljm 6y ago
That's a good line to take away from it. I read through the article and was struggling to reconcile the premise laid down by the article with the occasional nod to the straight white man pulling all the strings. I'm not sure how that connects to minority communities having varying levels of oppression within themselves, as there are between the many different groups that comprise LGBT and the politics within it. Or with the diverse groups of racial minorities. That said, the point is made well and it's a problem in itself if you take an 'all people in X must be the same' mindset, and go as far as ostracising 'traitors' for not being aligned. Insular communities like that will grow to be toxic in themselves.

throwaway894345 6y ago

I’m not sure about classical liberals, but this is generally the same concern I have with respect to the identity-obsessed strain of progressivism—that it conditions everyone to reject their broader collective identity (humans, citizens, etc) in exchange for racial identity, and to ultimately vote and lobby on behalf of their race. Further, proponents of these kinds of views regularly make arguments that suggest that race tells us about one’s politics (the same sort of idea TFA rails against), experiences, wealth/privileges, and even competence and virtue (consider the “white male” sneer). This is bad juju.

ljm 6y ago

That's a good line to take away from it. I read through the article and was struggling to reconcile the premise laid down by the article with the occasional nod to the straight white man pulling all the strings. I'm not sure how that connects to minority communities having varying levels of oppression within themselves, as there are between the many different groups that comprise LGBT and the politics within it. Or with the diverse groups of racial minorities. That said, the point is made well and it's a problem in itself if you take an 'all people in X must be the same' mindset, and go as far as ostracising 'traitors' for not being aligned. Insular communities like that will grow to be toxic in themselves.