Blog post

Race and Class in the Age of Trump

Asad Haider's left critique of "identity politics," a call for us to move beyond individual recognition to the collective struggle for an egalitarian society.

Verso Books22 May 2018

Race and Class in the Age of Trump

Whether class or race is the more important factor in modern politics is a question right at the heart of recent history’s most contentious debates. To escape this deadlock, Asad Haider turns to the rich legacies of the black freedom struggle. Drawing on the words and deeds of black revolutionary theorists, he argues that identity politics is not synonymous with anti-racism, but instead amounts to the neutralization of its movements. It marks a retreat from the crucial passage of identity to solidarity, and from individual recognition to the collective struggle against an oppressive social structure.

Weaving together autobiographical reflection, historical analysis, theoretical exegesis, and protest reportage, Mistaken Identity is a passionate call for a new practice of politics beyond colorblind chauvinism and “the ideology of race.”

Mistaken Identity: Race and Class in the Age of Trump by Asad Haider is on sale for 40% off until Sunday, May 27 at 11:59PM EST. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SALE IS NOW OVER.

Check out the Mistaken Identity Playlist, a playlist of songs that informed or express aspects of the theory and history presented in Mistaken Identity

Check out Asad Haider's essay, The Spirit of 68. The experiences of 1968 show us that it is possible to organize against racism as part of the structure of American capitalism — and to join together projects of street protest, popular education, workplace struggle, and political organization.

[book-strip index="1" style="buy"]
Mistaken Identity
Whether class or race is the more important factor in modern politics is a question right at the heart of recent history’s most contentious debates. Among groups who should readily find common grou...
Paperback (2018)

Filed under: 2016uselection, racism, sale, us-politics, uselection2016