Do identity politics actually strengthen society or weaken it? I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. I grew up in a world where women’s rights and gay rights and civil rights for black and brown citizens were the norm. The idea behind this was reasonable. Certain type of people felt left out of the mainstream and they gathered together as “groups” to achieve greater empowerment. These groups became politicized and a way of garnering power and money. A good liberal was expected to support such groups. Five decades later I feel like society is more divided and fragmented than before. So is this group empowerment thing actually a good thing? I see how these groups have gained so much power in society that group think has become the norm and free thinking individualism is now looked down upon and scoffed at in the mainstream. It is often labeled “alt right” and “dangerous” even when the individual is in fact a liberal - just not willing to conform. Have these groups enabled the collectivist mindset that has taken over our mainstream culture? And now with independent thinkers being demonized - where does the individual fit into all of this? Being gay I’m automatically assumed to be a member of the lgbt+ community. It is assumed that I believe and think and vote a certain way. If and when I do not follow the prescribed group think of the tribe I risk being ostracized, maligned, and even physically threatened by my own group. I imagine women and black and Latino people feel similarly. If you seek an independent world view - be true to self over group - you risk social isolation. I suppose this is just human nature. Human beings have always been very tribal by nature. American society was an experiment. Can we overcome these tribal insecurities to evolve a civilization based on individual rights? I’m beginning to thing the experiment was and is a failure. We seem to be slipping backwards. Our politicized minority groups seem to be more angry and “oppressed” than 50 years ago. Ironically I feel I have more advantages than ever before. Why do I not see and feel all this oppression? Just because I’m white? That’s what the SJW tribes would say. My only voice in society is via a tribe with a hive minded view. I’m not allowed my own thoughts or interpretations. How is this advancing human rights? How is this empowering? How is this what our forefathers intended when they spoke about “freedom”. How is this any LESS oppressive than a society dominated by straight white men? So we just exchange one form of oppression for another? Hmmm. Doesn’t feel right to me. Something has gone wrong along the way. That which was meant to free us has done a 360 to enslave us. All in the name of political power. Perhaps we have mistaken political power for human empowerment. Thoughts?