FALL 2019
IDENTITY POLITICS When it comes to intersectionality in terms of identity, it is always political and personal. JOELLE BAYAA-UZURI
The frontrunner has been Joe Biden, whose identity is more in line with the status quo. Biden has found mild success in tapping into the identity of former President, Barack Obama; attempting to But as the battle amongst the channel Obama’s history and legacy from Democrats trudges on, it seems like his presidency. This would, in part, combat identity politics are only muddying the some of Biden’s controversies; from his already murky waters of perhaps the most #MeToo tales of harassment to his 1970s important political battles in our lifetime. support of school racial segregation. For the first time ever, our top ten Fast on Biden’s heels is Elizabeth Democratic candidates are somewhat Warren, who has shined in her fight against indicative of the diversity of our country. American class inequality (one which she Gone it seems are the days of solely white, has herself been accused of inadvertently cisgender male candidates. We have supporting) and universal free/low-cost child candidates that are female, queer, and care. Her own identity politics came under people of color, that speak more to the much criticism for her misuse and conflation current, intersectionality of our nation. of familial ‘Cherokee Heritage.’ This early But is their intersectional identity enough misstep almost cost Warren severely. to propel them to frontrunner status in this tight political race? And has playing While Warren supports modifying identity politics been a double-edge sword the current class system, Bernie Sanders for the candidates? seeks to completely undo it in the form of democratic socialism. Sanders, who 24
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When it comes to actual politics, intersectionality and identity is seemingly used as a way to relate to voters and secure the coveted spot of Democratic 2020 frontrunner.
