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I believe that both are, and that it is a diversion.

PatrickPatrick says

Listen to NPR. They almost never go more than a minute or two without explicit reference to identity as Hispanic, black, gay, female.

Identity politics are coming from both sides. The left believes that the majority of issues that minorities face are due to outright persecution or unconscious bias. They feel that we can never have equality if we do not address those openly. They also are more libertarian when it comes to sex (both fucking and gender). The right believes that we have achieved an equality of opportunity society, and that there are no significant biases. Therefore, any disparity in achievement or conviction is due almost entirely to a lacking of innate ability/intelligence or culture of whatever minority. The right also believes that the various genderbending labels are a sickness and an affront to God, and that the people really being persecuted these days are white men. Both sides are arguing their point vigorously in the media and in outlets like this site. Politicians on both sides use it as a wedge issue, because it is convenient.

IMO, these issues are really not that important. Individual people get sucked into the debate, despite the lack of real relevance to most of their lives. It's really just a form of procrastination and avoidance of other more important issues.

Do people generally agree that these issues are not that important, or do they rate it as highly important?

#politics