Intelligence Squared The Sunday Debate: Identity Politics is Tearing Society Apart
Sep 25, 2021
Lionel Shriver, renowned journalist and author of 'We Need To Talk About Kevin', and Trevor Phillips, founding chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, argue that identity politics is tearing society apart. In contrast, David Lammy, a Labour MP advocating for social justice, and Dawn Foster, a Guardian columnist, defend its role in promoting equality. The discussion navigates the complexities of identity politics, examining its impact on societal cohesion and the importance of inclusive dialogue in addressing systemic inequalities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Name Changes
- Kamal Ahmed changed his name to Neil to fit in.
- He and his friends all chose "vanilla" English names.
Shifting Values
- For Ahmed's generation, acceptance was key, but his daughter's generation seeks respect.
- Social media amplifies voices and shifts societal focus from acceptance to respect.
Reductionism
- Identity politics reduces individuals to their group affiliations, ignoring their unique traits.
- Lionel Shriver argues this hinders true equality by reinforcing categories.
