The Root of the Problem: Historical Narrative as Origin, End, and Impasse of Radical Social Change

Although often treated as a controversy between radicals and conservatives, the current public imbroglio concerning so-called identity politics is just as much a matter of disagreement within progressivism’s big tent. Such a dispute is especially pronounced between classical Marxists and rival radical leftist groups that position race, rather than class, as the central problem facing egalitarian change. Starting from the idea that historical narrative represents a potent vector of argumentation, this essay contends that, from a rhetorical perspective, the conflict between Marxists and radical elements of identity-based politics can perhaps best be framed in terms of a contest over historical origin stories regarding the “root” cause of modern-day systems of oppression. By situating the controversy over racial identity in terms of origin narratives, this essay seeks to highlight the rhetorical advantages but also the pitfalls of this mode of argumentation.