Presented in Partnership with 
ARGUING YES
Host of the “Conversations with Coleman” Podcast; Contributing Writer at The Free Press; Author of “The End of Race Politics”
ARGUING NO
Founder of Black Lives Matter and Black Futures Lab
MODERATOR
Host and Moderator-in-Chief
This week:
- New episode: Do identity politics unite voters or cause division?
- A closer look at voters’ opinions on Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s identities
- Attend our next LIVE debate in NYC at the Comedy Cellar on October 8th
- Your Sunday reading list
As part of Open to Debate’s special 2024 election series, and in partnership with Civis, we explore a question that has, up until recently, been in the background of both Democrats’ and Republicans’ campaigns: Are identity politics holding us back?
We all have a story. That story, regardless of your heritage, race, gender, or social class you grew up in, becomes part of your identity.
In a critical election year, some believe how you identify could send a message about what types of issues they want their candidates to focus on, making sure their needs and values are included in the national conversation. However, others see identity-based politics as a distraction from other issues at hand, such as socio-economic issues. They also say that placing too much attention on these issues prevents us from finding solutions that benefit everyone.
This week’s debaters bring us opposing views about whether identity politics is holding us back in 2024. Arguing “yes” is three-time debater and Free Press contributor Coleman Hughes, who recently released the book “The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America”. Arguing “no” is Alicia Garza, a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement and an advocate for uplifting marginalized communities in politics and social movements.
How might identity politics impact the election in November in plausible and surprising ways? Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. As always, let us know what you think.
DEBATING THE DATA
Will Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s Identities Make An Impact in November?
POINT/COUNTERPOINT
Are Identity Politics Holding Us Back?
YES: Coleman Hughes
“Identity politics… in many ways is precisely the opposite of the universalist politics that got African Americans in the Civil Rights Movement the full right to vote, that eliminated segregation, that got women the right to vote. Instead of arguing that all human beings deserve to be treated the same way by the government, it argues the precise opposite: that the government has an interest in treating you differently.”
NO: Alicia Garza
“Identity politics has been vilified… to deny people in this country the right to an equitable future. The outcry over identity politics is a paper tiger intended to obscure the real dynamics at play as those who’ve been denied and disenfranchised find each other and join together based on common experiences and the desire for a shared future.”
Join Us For A 2024 Election Debate Featuring Two Comedians
As America heads into the 2024 election, voters are considering their choices. So as part of Open to Debate’s election series, we offer a substantive policy debate — with a little levity. Two comedians step into Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s shoes, bringing humor and wit to hot-button questions about the economy, immigration, and foreign policy. This debate will dissect the contrasting policy choices of Harris and Trump, exploring who might be the better fit to lead America.
Live In-Person Debate: Will Kamala Harris or Donald Trump Be Better for America?
When: Tuesday, October 8 at 6 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)
Where: The Comedy Cellar’s Village Underground
130 W 3rd St, New York, NY (between 6th Avenue and MacDougal Street)
Arguing for the Left: Pete Dominick, Stand-Up Comic; Host of the “Stand Up! With Pete Dominick” Podcast; Warm-Up Comedian for “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report”
Arguing for the Right: Jimmy Failla, Stand-Up Comedian and Host of Fox News’s “Saturday Night with Jimmy Failla” and “FOX Across America”
Guest Moderator: Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Co-Host of the Semafor Podcast “Mixed Signals”
WEEKLY POINTS OF VIEW
David Leonhardt | September 23, 2024
The New York Times
Watch David’s debate on whether the American Dream is in decline
Unlocking AI’s Potential for All
Carme Artigas and James Manyika | September 23, 2024
Project Syndicate
Watch James’s debate on whether globalization has undermined the working class
The Game Isn’t Over for China But It Is ‘Garbage Time’
Minxin Pei | September 22, 2024
Bloomberg
Watch Minxin’s debate on whether China does capitalism better than America
No SCOTUS Term Is Like Any Other
Sarah Isgur | September 25, 2024
The Dispatch
Watch Sarah’s debate on whether it is right to end Roe v. Wade
An Informed Public = A Stronger Democracy
With the upcoming election in November, open, informed, and balanced debates are more necessary than ever. Open to Debate provides a space for informed discussions that cut through the noise and help voters like you make sense of critical issues. Donate now to ensure that the public is equipped with the knowledge and diverse perspectives they need to stay informed.
