identity politics
noun, plural in form but singular or plural in constructionDefinition of identity politics
: politics in which groups of people having a particular racial, religious, ethnic, social, or cultural identity tend to promote their own specific interests or concerns without regard to the interests or concerns of any larger political group
Identity politics took its modern form during the second half of the last century. It emerged as an emancipatory mode of political action and thinking based on the shared experience of injustice by particular groups—notably blacks, women, gays, Latinos and American Indians.— Orlando Patterson Although the UCLA center's standards promoted rigorous history, they set off a major culture war because of their relentless emphasis on identity politics.— Diane Ravitch Identity politics is contemporary shorthand for a group's assertion that it is a meaningful group; that it differs significantly from other groups; that its members share a history of injustice and grievance; and that its psychological and political mission is to explore, act out, act on and act up its group identity.— Catharine R. Stimpson A number of critics have viewed her work through a lens of identity politics, taking her to be some sort of oracle of Muslim womanhood.— Lauren Collins
Examples of identity politics in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At issue will be how the party’s candidates choose to lean on identity politics and whether or not economic injustice and class issues have a role to play. — Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "Here’s Every Democrat Still Running in the 2020 Presidential Election," 29 Aug. 2019 Muhaxheri’s own contradictory biography – an instrument of American power turned jihadist – embodied the twisted identity politics of the nascent Islamic State. — The Economist, "Confessions of an Islamic State fighter," 16 Aug. 2019 Bremner’s show carries just one current of the heated national debate on race that has been fanned by Trump’s unrepentant use of white identity politics and inflamed by white supremacist violence like the shooting in El Paso. — Washington Post, "Trump’s America: Where politics dictate definition of racism," 6 Aug. 2019 Bremner's show carries just one current of the heated national debate on race that has been fanned by Trump's unrepentant use of white identity politics and inflamed by white supremacist violence like the shooting in El Paso. — Fortune, "Trump’s America: Where Politics Dictate the Definition of Racism," 6 Aug. 2019 Richards would much rather talk about golf—or her beloved Yankees—than identity politics. — Jon Wertheim, SI.com, "She's a Transgender Pioneer, But RenĂ©e Richards Prefers to Stay Out of the Spotlight," 28 June 2019 And his best bet to get that nod would come from Warren, for reasons that involve the inevitably crass calculus of identity politics. — Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, "Wednesday debate could offer preview of Warren-Castro ticket," 22 June 2019 Madonna has struggled the past decade — with identity politics, social media stunts (remember the rollout of Rebel Heart?) and simply making music that has any resonance with contemporary audiences. — Jonny Coleman, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critic's Notebook: Madonna's Cringe-Worthy 'Madame X'," 14 June 2019 With an emphasis on inclusivity, identity politics, and radical self-expression, de Kluyver presents six different editorial shoots, giving thoughtful context for each set of characters. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "Gucci’s New Global Makeup Artist Just Released a Mesmerizing Beauty Book," 23 May 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'identity politics.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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