The Problem With Identity Politics (part I interview with Naomi Zack)

Philosopher Naomi Zack is critical of identity politics––it does not belong in the government, or so she argues. My students raised a bunch of questions and criticisms of her view. This episode is part I of a discussion with Naomi Zack where we chat through my students' questions and criticisms. Here's the content:

Min 3:30 What are you thinking about identity politics right now?

Min 4: “The personal is political” became “the political is personal.”

Min 5: The culture wars encroached on politics

Min 8:30: why the politicization of identity and culture wars is dangerous

Min 10:20: how did you first get interested in identity politics?

Min 11: how “we all have a race” opened the door to oppressors asserting their identity

Min 13: why there was a need for identity politics after WWII.

Min 15:15: identity politics worked well as a “social movement” leading to anti-discrimination law.

Min 16:10: the problem is an “all out war of identities”

Min 18:30: the purpose of government is to solve problems

Min 20:30: “It’s not just the Right that’s problematic” (Biden: “save the soul of America”).

Min 23:30: What are your views on reparations?

Min 28:50: Does protest work? Does protest disrupt the purpose of the government?