Beware the Identity Trap

The Identity Trap refers to a set of ideas focusing on race, gender, and sexual orientation that claim to be radical and consistent in fighting against injustices. These ideas reject traditional methods of achieving a more just society, potentially hindering progressive institutions and their missions. The emphasis on racial identity in pedagogical practices can lead children to primarily associate themselves with their racial group. Moreover, the Identity Trap can serve as a political trap, inadvertently benefiting far-right populists and posing a threat to democratic institutions.