Philosophy in the Library: Olufemi Taiwo by Zoom: "The Problem with Identity Politics is Elite Capture"

In the April edition of Philosophy in the Library, offered by Zoom, philosopher Olufemi Taiwo argues that "The Problem with Identity Politics is Elite Capture."

The term "elite capture" is typically used to describe how a population’s most socially advantaged people tend to gain control over financial benefits that are meant for everyone, especially foreign aid dollars.  But it's also been applied more generally to describe how political projects can be hijacked by the well positioned and resourced. It is a flexible concept that can also explain how even intangibles like knowledge, attention, and values get warped around our power structures - even when we're trying to dismantle them. 

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University. He completed his PhD at University of California, Los Angeles. Before that, he completed BAs in Philosophy and Political Science at Indiana University.

His theoretical work draws liberally from German transcendental philosophy, contemporary philosophy of language, contemporary social science, histories of activism and activist thinkers, and the Black radical tradition. He is currently writing a book entitled Reconsidering Reparations that considers a novel philosophical argument for reparations and explores links with environmental justice. He also is committed to public engagement and is publishing articles in popular outlets with general readership (e.g. Slate, Pacific Standard) exploring intersections between climate justice and colonialism.

To attend please RSVP below and we will send you the Zoom link.