BrianGarst.com

In my recent article discussing the issues surrounding the Sotomayor nomination — and in particular the prominence of identity politics — I pointed out that the worst racist abuses often come from the proponents of identity politics themselves.  Here’s some of what I said:

The politics of identity is always presented as an end in itself; the goal is to achieve representation for minority groups.  But in practice it is a tool designed to obscure the true objectives of its practitioners: the advancement of left-wing politics.  It is the political beliefs of the individual, and not their group membership, that determines whether identity politics will be used for or against them, to enhance their reputations or to destroy them.

…The different treatment of Sotomayor and other minorities by the proponents of identity politics is puzzling only when we make the mistake of taking them at their word that they seek merely to advance historically disadvantaged groups.  But when the cloak is removed, we see that the real objective is to advance the Democrat Party and the leftist agenda.  Perhaps in this small way Dr. King’s dream finally has been realized: those standing in the way of liberal democrats will be subjected to the abusive politics of personal destruction regardless of race or creed.

I provided several examples in the article, like the treatment of Miguel Estrada. Today, the New York Times provides yet another example of the hate and vitriol that is reserved for minorities who do not toe the line of the identity politics agenda.

Lt. Ben Vargas’ only crime was to work hard, then study for and pass a test for promotion.  He then had the gall to ask that his hard work not be tossed out because special victim groups didn’t work as hard.

The two dozen firefighters who packed into Humphrey’s East Restaurant were celebrating a coming marriage, drinking and jawboning in the boisterous style of large men with risky jobs, but Lt. Ben Vargas spent the evening trying to escape the tension surrounding his presence.

During a trip to the bathroom, he found himself facing another man. Without warning, the first punch landed. When Lieutenant Vargas awoke, bloodied and splayed on the grimy floor, he was taken to the hospital.

Lieutenant Vargas believes the attack, five years ago, was orchestrated by a black firefighter in retaliation for his having joined a racial discrimination lawsuit against the city over its tossing out of an exam for promotion that few minority firefighters passed. (No arrests were made in the attack, and the black firefighter vigorously denies having been involved.)

…But Lieutenant Vargas bore more than his share of the criticism, said Lt. Matthew Marcarelli, who was among the plaintiffs and has known Lieutenant Vargas since they were classmates at the fire academy. “Why the other guys viewed him as a turncoat I really don’t understand. He did it because he’s principled and he thought it was the right thing to do. Benny’s nobody’s token.”

Chief Marquez said his old protégé was “an easy target because he didn’t fall in line.”

“It seems that if you’re not the right type of minority, you get hammered,” he said.

Identity politics is destructive to the very groups it claims to help and society as a whole.

race issues Ricci et al. v. Destefano et al.