A New Generation of Identity Politics

In the 2008 presidential election which featured the first black candidate for a major party Barrack Obama won handily over the elderly white challenger from a fractured and out of touch party. Many saw this sweep to power as a "mandate from the people" or as the end of identity politics in the United States. They promised a change that henceforth race, gender, and nationality would be put outside the political arena.

Unfortunately the promises of change fell by the wayside shortly after his historic election. More disturbing though than the blatant disregard for his own promises is the wave of support that Obama rode into power. Estimates have placed upwards of 90% of black voters behind him in the election, mainly on grounds of his race. Overwhelming majorities of minorities showed up to polls to "vote minority". This trend is utterly disturbing. How can we escpae identity politics when the electorate is willing to vote on race alone?

Perhaps equally as important is the broken promise of the President. If we are truly to get away from the era of identity politics the first step is to eliminate programs that work exclusively off such determinations. A nation founded on a judicial system that is colorblind can't exist when elite schools are strapped to policies of racial categorization. Nor can it continue its duties when the highest court is to be determined by a system of quotas.

First there was to be an African American on the court, that seat will remain such, in effect meaning when the time comes to replace Clarence Thomas only those who are black need apply. Their was great uproar over the replacement of Sandra Day O'Connor because her replacement wasn't a woman. No fear Sotomayor is. In a time when we are promised to be freed of the identity politics we are becoming more and more entrenched. In time Sotomayor's seat will become the Latin American one. Then the question will turn to having a homosexual on the court plus there has never been an Asian or Pacific Islander.

This nation flourishes only when those who are most qualified are put into positions of power, not when quotas are met. The longer we continue this policy and the more entrenched we allow it to become the deeper the divisions we will drive into the society as a whole. Obama promised change from the old and yet his selections have shown only an acceleration of the divisive policies that have pulled the nation apart at its seams over the last century.