Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 08:02:16 -0500 (EST)
From: louisgodena-AT-ids.net (Louis R Godena)
Subject: M-I: Reply to Doug Henwood re Identity (fwd from moderator)


To marxism-international:

The following post from Jason Murphy bounced to the moderators (non-member
submission).

Louis Godena,
co-moderator

__________________________________________________________________


>Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 17:32:13 -0800 (PST)
>From: ACORN - Pine Bluff <aracornpb-AT-igc.apc.org>
>To: marxism-international-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.EDU
>Subject: Re: M-I: Reply to Doug Henwood re Identity

In principle, one should judge agents of identity politics by how 
expansive their vision is and by what they do. 

It is interesting to note that many identity political groups were 
founded by leftists. Examples include SNCC, the panthers, the radical 
faeries, and the Mattachine Society (both 1950's gay rigths groups 
founded by communists), as well as so many of the women's rights and 
environmental groups. (environmental groups are not identtity, I 
understand) 

I think bourgeois streams of these political movements are given extra 
attention by the press and that right-wingers are as well. For example, 
the local press in Arkansas gives more ink to Thomas Sowell and Louis 
Farakkhan that to local black leaders that have a very expansive view 
of the hope for black progress lying in progress for all poor people. 
(In Arkansas, this mainly comes from ACORN, IMHO.) 

I believe the left should not obsess on identity politics too much. 
Many who have involved themselves in IP would not have involved 
themselves in anything if this had not come along. Organizing is 
organizing and the left needs to organize and recruit as much as these 
folks. 

-- Jason Murphy




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