ArcaMax

Unfortunately, the term "identity politics" has been weaponized to a degree that it is almost impossible to use it to engage others without having to explain how your identity shapes you and that engagement.

Part of the confusion stems from the use of the term to demonize marginalized groups that are organizing in their own interests. That includes not only controversial, loosely organized movements such as Black Lives Matter but also more mainstream campaigns for pay equity for women and people of color.

And tribal politics, let us not forget, are not limited to one party. When we saw working-class white men and married white women turn from voting for Democrat Barack Obama in the 2008 and 2012 elections to Republican Donald Trump in 2016, not many people referred to Trump's appeal as "tribal politics." But the proper use of that term helps us understand why the switch was made and whether those voters might ever switch back.

To me, the polarization of America's party politics explains the shift of African American voters from the Republican to Democratic parties. Close to 40 percent of black voters -- including my parents -- voted for the Republican candidate and war hero Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s. The realignment we see today began in 1964 after the Republican "Party of Lincoln" nominated Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater, who had voted against the Civil Rights Act that year.

It's hard to believe that, as Klein points out, the American Political Science Association in the 1950s complained that the two parties weren't more polarized, so voters would have more ideological choices.

Other factors cited by Klein include campaign finance laws that, ironically, made the parties weaker as candidates found alternative funding sources. The growth of independent fundraising, including donations from outside of one's state, encouraged more extremes as big money donors promoted more extreme positions.

Unfortunately, Klein does a lot more explaining of our problems than offering of solutions, but changing our "framework for understanding" is closer to his purpose, he says. That's OK. We need some strategic road maps and moral compasses to understand one another in these rapidly changing times.

We can begin, for example, with reintroducing ourselves to each other and doing a better job of listening across party and tribal lines. We have the technology and the anger to bring a lot of heat to politics. We also need to try to bring some light.

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(E-mail Clarence Page at cpage@chicagotribune.com.)

(c) 2020 CLARENCE PAGE DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.