Elite Capture: Philosopher Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò on How the Powerful Took Over Identity Politics

We speak with philosopher Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, who has recently written two widely acclaimed books: "Elite Capture: How the Powerful Took Over Identity Politics (And Everything Else)" and "Reconsidering Reparations," which focuses in part on the climate crisis. He says identity politics is a concept that was stripped of its radical power to build solidarity and is now weaponized to split people into ever narrower categories that hamper movements for racial and social justice. "Elite capture is what happens when the advantaged few in a group steer the resources and political direction of organizations or movements or parts of our social structure like the justice system toward their narrower interests and aims," Táíwò says.

#DemocracyNow

[keeblergraham]

A good example of what he's saying is that we're encouraged to celebrate Hakeem Jeffries as the first black Hse Min Leader while ignoring his anti-progressive PAC and the fact that black people in Flint, Michigan still can't get clean drinking water.

[erickane]

Right on. Getting to the roots of the problem of “hijacking movements and diversion from causes.

[markd.holloman]

Great discussion! His books are added to my book list. Thank you.

[T_Dot]

Class consciousness is the most important thing for change. Everytime they throw identity politics at us we need to throw class consciousness back in their face.

[villedocvalle]

This man is a a great great role model and hero. He is so young too!

[happygucci]

Thank you for your dedication- and I will be ordering this man's books- thank you Amy Goodman and the Democracy Now team!

[Krazie-Ivan]

The Professor's view echoes a concern I began having around BLM (the movement), where the lack of concise demands for tangible & measurable change worries me no systemic action on root causes will occur. Simply raising awareness is not enough, & the convo around what to then *do* can be more easily derailed.

We must communicate better, in ways that anticipate methods of detractors, & set real goals. This is what made our Civil Rights leaders so incredibly special, & successful.

[jackalopewright]

Identity politics are a great way to make sure nobody is talking about class or making the economy work fairly. The Democrats love every identity, except wage earner.

[kateoneal]

If you keep having thinkers like this on I may resubscribe.
It's always been a war between the 99% and the 1%. Any "issues" that divide us further only serve to defeat us.

[jamesmarchetti]

Wow this was educational and alot to think about and consider ?? 🤔 !! It does touch a little bit on Oligarchy but could go even Deeper especially during our current times as Democracy seems to fade away in many places !!!

[FlambartPhotography]

0:19: The cover of Olúfẹ́mi O.Táíwò's book 'Elite Capture' is awesome., particularly the red letter i being removed and the semiotics it implies. Great work. Keep forward with constructive debate.

[snowballeffect]

thank you for looking at the actual big picture instead of burdening individuals with fixing corporate and governmental scale problems.

[forrest]

This is the best 12 minutes and 23 seconds I've had on YouTube. Thank you brother 🙏 💙

[djnkosi]

Brilliant young brother. Committed to the struggle. Right on. ✊🏽

[philipganchev]

Wonderfully lucid and articulate thinker!

[mabeaute]

I appreciate this interview with such a deep thinker & eloquent speaker!

[abidmabdelaziz]

I dont say this often but this guy has a good head on his shoulders, definitely getting his book and looking forward to future publications.

[wadesmith]

Everything the professor says makes perfect, and logical sense

[dianemarshall]

The Divide and Conquer tactics is their best strategy. United we stand. Divided we fall. We must unite for the unification of the African contibent. One Love. One Africa.

[altGoolam]

There is such a thing as a Non-Profit Industrial complex. All of these movements need money to run. They all need political support from within the establishment to get that money. It's a function of the Capitalist class dynamic.