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Have “Identity Politics” Been Hijacked?
Philosopher Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò.
(
Elliott Jerome Brown Jr.
)
Listen
33:11
Imperfect Inquiry: Have Identity Politics Been Hijacked?
Imperfect Paradise Host Antonia Cereijido speaks with philosopher and author of Elite Capture: How The Powerful Took over Identity Politics (And Everything Else) Olúfemi O. Táíwò. They examine the question: are identity politics over? It’s a question that was raised and we began to explore with Imperfect Paradise’s Nury & The Secret Tapes series. Antonia examines that question more deeply with Táíwò and presses him on why he believes identity politics have failed to deliver on their promise to create greater social equity and what he thinks is the more effective political alternative. Antonia’s conversation with Táíwò kicks off the first Imperfect Inquiry, a recurring Imperfect Paradise segment in which Antonia interviews thinkers, experts, and stakeholders on themes, issues, and questions that we examine on the show. For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.
Topline:
Antonia Cereijido, host of Imperfect Paradise, talks with philosopher Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò for the first installment of Imperfect Inquiry, a recurring segment in which she talks to a thinker, expert or relevant voice who can speak to the themes, issues, and questions that come up on the podcast. Táíwò is the author of Elite Capture: How the Powerful Took over Identity Politics (And Everything Else). His book expresses his concern that the identity politics of today, in practice, have little to do with the concept first introduced by Black queer feminists in the 1970s.
Have “identity politics” been hijacked: In this conversation, Táíwò and Cereijido get into the origin story of identity politics, the pitfalls and implications of “centering the most marginalized” when it comes to political action, and what he sees as the alternate path forward for advancing issues of equity and inclusion.
Why you should listen: Since the term identity politics was first coined, many organizations and individuals have tried to tackle issues of equity and inclusion, keeping in mind racial, ethnic and gender disparity. Táíwò challenges how we’ve applied identity politics and is seeking new solutions.
Why should Imperfect Paradise listeners care? Cereijido asks Táíwò to apply his ideas to help make sense of the stories we’ve reported on through questions like: How will the next generation of Latino politicians come to power in the shadow of the Nury Martinez scandal? How should companies try to engage on diversity equity and inclusion?
How do I find the podcast? It's now available from LAist Studios. Check it out on LAist.com/Imperfect Paradise or wherever you get your podcasts!
Listen
33:11
Imperfect Paradise Host Antonia Cereijido speaks with philosopher and author of Elite Capture: How The Powerful Took over Identity Politics (And Everything Else) Olúfemi O. Táíwò. They examine the question: are identity politics over? It’s a question that was raised and we began to explore with Imperfect Paradise’s Nury & The Secret Tapes series. Antonia examines that question more deeply with Táíwò and presses him on why he believes identity politics have failed to deliver on their promise to create greater social equity and what he thinks is the more effective political alternative. Antonia’s conversation with Táíwò kicks off the first Imperfect Inquiry, a recurring Imperfect Paradise segment in which Antonia interviews thinkers, experts, and stakeholders on themes, issues, and questions that we examine on the show.
For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise
Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate
For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise
Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate
Imperfect Inquiry: Have Identity Politics Been Hijacked?
Imperfect Paradise Host Antonia Cereijido speaks with philosopher and author of Elite Capture: How The Powerful Took over Identity Politics (And Everything Else) Olúfemi O. Táíwò. They examine the question: are identity politics over? It’s a question that was raised and we began to explore with Imperfect Paradise’s Nury & The Secret Tapes series. Antonia examines that question more deeply with Táíwò and presses him on why he believes identity politics have failed to deliver on their promise to create greater social equity and what he thinks is the more effective political alternative. Antonia’s conversation with Táíwò kicks off the first Imperfect Inquiry, a recurring Imperfect Paradise segment in which Antonia interviews thinkers, experts, and stakeholders on themes, issues, and questions that we examine on the show.
For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise
Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate
For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise
Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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