ABSTRACT
The phrase identity politics is often used pejoratively and may invoke negative ideas about political correctness, conjuring images of diverse groups of people battling against one another about who is the most oppressed. Rhoads (1998) has made a case that, because of this impression, a counterinterpretation of the term is necessary. One may wish to think of identity politics, instead, as diverse groups of marginalized individuals forging their own place in the public sphere, authentically expressing visions of participatory democracy. These groups of individuals are participating in fora where political and economic rights is fleshed out and actualized. Because oppression is so painful and complex, this process can appear to be a distasteful experience to the outsider; however, it seems to be a necessary practice for anyone interested in undoing histories and experiences of marginalization, colonization, violence, and slavery.
