In order to clarify what I mean by identity politics in my paper, Essentializing the Evangelical: The Representation and Reception of Evangelicals in Popular Culture, I have chosen to draw on a definition that is part of John Hartley's Communication, Culture, and Media Studies - The Key Concepts:"Social action organized around cultural rather than civic or political subjectivities. Identity politics aims to provide a form of political participation for those who are excluded from the traditional means of representation...
"The concept of identity is now often viewed as relying on shared characteristics that are cultrural rather than natural/biological. As a result, political alliances based on an essentialist identity - one fixed in nature (origins and 'blood' or genes) rather than made in culture - is often viewed with alarm within radical circles..." (p.101f.).
While identity politics have been used to discuss racism, sexism, and homophobia; I am suggesting that this conceptual idea can also be incorporated into any other groups which are experience an marginalization/essentializing of their group.
As a result, the ideas of identity politics can provide a theoretical framework within which to discuss resistance to the essentializing of the evangelical in the media.
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