Fake ID

Here's an interesting discussion of (what I'd call) a radical leftist critique of identity politics. When you're part of a group that's treated unfairly, it's understandable you'd band together under that identity to fight the oppression. But this can be a trap.

Harvey Milk comes out as a gay man, at a time when that wasn't done, and fights for gay rights. Whether or not it's a necessary first step, it can lead to gay identity politics which reduces you to a category as much as it liberates you. This can apply to any group, no matter how discrete and insular they are.

There's plenty to disagree with in the social critiques of Michel Foucault and Judith Butler, but it's always worth asking if dividing people into groups is limiting in the long run.