identity politics: the path to peace?

Although I think I recognize the importance of identity politics as John Esposito asserts, (shukran to MR for that) especially in a context where Muslims have been the target of fear-mongering and stigmatization, so that it does feel like a breath of fresh air and relief to be acknowledged, appreciated - I don't think that that should translate into a blank check in support of anybody.

This is something I fear in Muslim reactions to the Obama speech: losing that balance of having both appreciation for the significance of the moment while also being critical and offering constructive criticism.

I think Moustafa Bayoumi, author of said it best when he wrote:

Obama's address also contained some worthy language of mutual respect and offered valuable recognition of Islamic civilization and even of the role that American Muslims have played in U.S. history. And he did seek to chart a new relationship between peoples on the premise that our identities are not mutually antagonistic, let alone mutually exclusive.

But it's not only clashing identities that drive the conflicts in today's world, which unfortunately is how the Middle East is almost always portrayed in the United States.

In reality, historic and structural inequalities play a much larger role in why people fight with one another. To paper over these issues with too much talk about identity is to think that peace can be had with a handshake and a hug.

But it cannot, and the sooner we recognize this, the better.

Obama's speech sought to convince the world of something it already knew, that peace is desirable. But peace without justice is merely the calm between wars.