Identity Politics

This past summer, I had the incredible experience of working as an intern on an Atlanta mayoral campaign. Though I had previously worked in the world of political campaigns, never before had I been able to so frequently and earnestly. Given Atlanta's relative prominence around the world, this race was quite contested and deeply competitive - a key reason being that for the first time in decades, Atlanta could very well elect a white mayor. For a city as diverse as Atlanta, this really mattered - for just as representation in government, media, business, and countless other sectors of the working world is pivotal for people of color, so is the knowledge that if a white person will be representing them, they do so with enhanced attention to their needs. This fall's race was diverse in a multiplicity of identities: in color, sexuality, gender, and political leanings. As such, working on the campaign of the moderate straight white man was certainly a fact I contended with every day. Moreover, so did the campaign manager, political director, phone bank director, and several other senior officials on my campaign, all people of color.

In speaking with them throughout the summer, I learned that was one of the most complex issues a politico of color had to face: supporting the candidate of their choice, regardless of the color of their skin. Much of politics revolves around trust, depends on who constituents believe in as an advocate for their needs. In a time of increased media attention on corrupt practices, our political landscape is more polarized and distrusted than ever. Furthermore, the nastiness and pervasiveness of American racism is an oft ignored issue by politicians, despite its undeniable relevance to our communities and culture. Politicians are seen as not having the tough conversations or seeking to understand the constituents who cannot directly benefit them, all of which alienates the political process from people who deserve to have an intimate understanding of and relationship with it.

The hurdle that white politicos must overcome is the fear of verbal missteps. White people cannot allow the concern of saying the wrong thing to prevent us from actually saying anything at all. When we take our language, our rhetoric into greater consideration before speaking on lived experiences that are not our own, we are far more likely to speak effectively. Though it is imperative that we start the conversation, it must be followed by more active listening than running the conversation. Candidates who earnestly attempt this not only hold the potential to transcend identity politics, but also to improve the political landscape at large. Further, greater representation of people of color in politics goes far beyond the candidate themselves, and when a candidate surrounds themselves with a diverse team, they are taking the first step in advocating for the greater community.