When Mary Katharine Ham and I speak publicly about our book, End of Discussion, we often spend a fair amount of time lingering on the subject of the Left's weaponization of identity politics. Leftists very frequently seek to disqualify opposing viewpoints by claiming that those with different ideas are motivated by prejudice or bigotry, citing a parade of "-isms" as a substitute for substantive debate. This has become such a standard form of discourse, we've argued, that when internal disagreements arise, many people apply the same demagogic tactics on their fellow partisans, having effectively forgotten how to argue in good faith or on the merits.
An example we've employed in the past is the minor tempest that was stirred when the left flank of the Democratic Party opposed a trade deal that was favored by President Obama. In advancing his position, Obama referred to one of his critics on this issue -- Senator Elizabeth Warren (who has other identity issues of her own making) -- as "Liz" in an interview. This touched off criticism within the party among some who charged that Obama's use of a nickname was dismissive and therefore sexist. Others, offended that Obama was being given the Republican treatment on that front, wondered whether lobbing false claims of sexism at the first black president might have some problematic racial undertones. Welcome to the Woke Whirlwind, Democrats.
Joe Biden has now been victimized by this same toxic environment, in which his (popular) 1970's stance on mandatory school busing has been turned into a cudgel to portray him as racially insensitive...by a woman of color who turns out to basically, um, share his policy position on the issue. The point of the attack wasn't the policy; it was the identity politics. And it was unleashed minutes after the aggressor asserted, to applause, that the audience wasn't interested in witnessing a nasty "food fight." She then promptly flung fist-full of mashed potatoes at Biden, and fundraised off of it by selling t-shirts celebrating that premeditated moment. Now we have the latest iteration of the revolution turning inward, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez furiously responding to pointed criticisms of her tactics and behavior from the Democratic Speaker of the House by rushing down the well-trod path to the identity politics well:
She later clarified that she "absolutely" does not consider Pelosi a racist, of course -- just as Kamala Harris so generously said about Biden, despite implying the opposite. AOC is just asking questions, you see, and again suggesting that sharp criticism of her squad is literally dangerous ("incitement," perhaps?), another familiar silencing tactic:
Consider it a warning shot, old, white, Democrats. If a political skirmish breaks out, identity will be gratuitously raised and used as a weapon. You'd best understand and fear the hierarchy. Ah, but both wings of the party can play that game:
Get the Exclusive
11.29.2024