The Evil of Identity Activism

When we see someone who looks like us suffering, we experience strong emotions: fear, anger, disgust, or sadness. But are these emotions even stronger when the suffering person shares our identity? When people advocate for a cause, they tend to identify with those directly affected. Muslims often advocate for Palestinians, Jews for Israel, and Hispanic communities for Mexicans. There is an undeniable connection between a person’s identity and their activism, rooted in thousands of years of human evolution and tribe mentality.

When done right, identity activism can be a force for good. But in the wrong hands, it can lead to pain, suffering, and undoes decades of progress.

The Civil Rights Movement, led by the African American community, brought about immense change. Its impact on society, the legal system, and the private sector has been profound, with benefits still felt today.

On the other hand, the Middle East conflict highlights the risks of identity-driven activism. Many Muslim communities in the U.S. strongly identify with Palestinians, seeing people of their religion who resemble them and, in many cases, are their relatives. This deep connection often leads them to take a hard stance in favor of Palestinians.

The problem arises when extremists hijack an identity for their own agendas. Hamas doesn’t care about Palestinians or Muslims, it seeks money and power and is willing to use its own people to achieve those goals.

Groups exploiting identity for personal or political gain take advantage of DEI initiatives, minority identity politics, and Western tolerance. Many activists within these movements are deeply tied to their identities, allowing these forces to shape their actions and perspectives.

There is no simple solution to the challenges of identity activism. With social media algorithms and the 24-hour news cycle fueling polarization, divisions are deepening. One potential solution is to foster empathy, encouraging people to see opposing viewpoints and address them with logic and reason. However, that is far easier said than done. The mental gymnastics some people perform to justify their actions have become extreme.

Ultimately, the goal should not be to force people to change their beliefs but to ensure that disagreement does not lead to hostility. Minds are rarely changed through direct confrontation; in fact, attempts to do so often make people cling to their views even more tightly. If we can learn to coexist despite our differences, without being at each other’s throats, we may find a way to address the evils of identity activism.