identity politics
noun
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: 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
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
Diane RavitchIdentity 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
Catharine R. StimpsonA 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
Lauren CollinsExamples of identity politics in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Charlie Kirk, a committed supporter of President Donald Trump and the head of the conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA, spoke with Newsom about a range of subjects, including identity politics, youth engagement in politics and the growing power of podcasts as a media form.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
As much as any show centering brown Muslim characters can, the show dodges any questions of identity politics that aren’t in service of jokes.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
This theater of appearances gains legitimacy by appropriating the language of identity politics.
—Fabiola Iza, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Torres, who represents the central Bronx 15th Congressional District, at a Nov. 18 post-Election Day event in Manhattan, called identity politics, as practiced by much of the Democratic establishment, politically toxic.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
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William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
As much as any show centering brown Muslim characters can, the show dodges any questions of identity politics that aren’t in service of jokes.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
This theater of appearances gains legitimacy by appropriating the language of identity politics.
—Fabiola Iza, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Torres, who represents the central Bronx 15th Congressional District, at a Nov. 18 post-Election Day event in Manhattan, called identity politics, as practiced by much of the Democratic establishment, politically toxic.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for identity politics
Cite this Entry
“Identity politics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity%20politics. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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