I have been reporting on and writing about Identity Politics for about 20 years. But I feel the topic is not discussed with the seriousness it deserves.
Our identities are far more powerful than many realise. They ask us to aspire for something bigger than our individual selves. They can make us feel connected and fulfilled, or drive us to extreme anger and hatred. They can inspire us to do great things or even kill others.
Identity politics is extremely powerful. And yet it's treated in the media like a nuisance. Like it's a dumbed-down form of politics. But all politics is a form of identity politics. Even left-right ‘class’ politics is now a form of tribal identity. It has detached from the stark material divides that once defined it.
Nationalism, patriotism, race, religion, feminism, localism: these are all forms of identity politics.
I want to show how our identities influence our politics far more than we realise. And explore how we respond to calls for loyalty from our tribe in unexpected ways.
I'm Sunny Hundal, a writer and journalist. I’ve been a regular columnist at The Guardian, The Independent and Hindustan Times. I made a documentary film for BBC 1 on identity and belonging. I've been praised for my work, and threatened for it. Let's explore identity politics together.
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