The Left Is Fighting the Wrong Enemy: Itself

Listen to and follow ‘First Person’
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Amazon Music

Maurice Mitchell has been an organizer for two decades, working in progressive politics and the Movement for Black Lives. In recent years, he’s watched progressive organizations torn apart by internal battles in the wake of #MeToo and B.L.M. Now he is speaking out about how he sees purity politics and a misplaced focus on identity derailing the left.

Further reading:

• “Building Resilient Organizations: Toward Joy and Durable Power in a Time of Crisis” by Maurice Mitchell in Nonprofit Quarterly

• “Elephant In The Room” by Ryan Grim in The Intercept

• “Once a Bastion of Free Speech, the A.C.L.U. Faces an Identity Crisis” by Michael Powell in The New York Times

(A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times website.)

Thoughts? Email us at [email protected]. Follow Lulu Garcia-Navarro on Twitter: @lourdesgnavarro

“First Person” was produced this week by Wyatt Orme. It was edited by Stephanie Joyce and Kaari Pitkin. Mixing by Sonia Herrero and Isaac Jones. Original music by Isaac Jones, Sonia Herrero, Pat McCusker and Carole Sabouraud. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker and Kate Sinclair. The rest of the “First Person” team includes Anabel Bacon, Olivia Natt, Rhiannon Corby, Sophia Alvarez Boyd, Derek Arthur and Jillian Weinberger. Special thanks to Kristina Samulewski, Shannon Busta, Allison Benedikt, Annie-Rose Strasser and Katie Kingsbury.