Antisemitism, Racism & Identity Politics | Ash Sarkar

“You're talking about women? That must mean you're an Islamophobe. You're talking about Muslims? It must mean you're an anti-Semite.” From the obsession with individual experience to the weaponisation of identity politics by right-wing and pro-Israel advocates, this episode of The Tea with Myriam François dives deep into the uncomfortable and urgent truths about identity politics today. Joining us is Ash Sarkar, author and senior editor at Novara Media, to unpack how the Left has been fractured by a focus on “identity”, and how identity politics has turned into a competition for victimhood – or worse, a tool wielded by those supporting genocide. Meanwhile, working-class solidarity lies in ruins. What if representation isn't progress — but the illusion of it? From Filipino content moderators to South Asian billionaires, this episode challenges the idea that shared identity means shared interest — and makes the case for a politics rooted in class, not optics. ⚠️ Why has identity politics become a competition for victimhood? ⚠️ Why is anti-racism so often used to silence dissent — especially on Palestine? ⚠️ Who really benefits from diversity in “the C-suite”? ⚠️ Can class-based unity rebuild what identity politics has broken? ⚠️ What are the pitfalls of DEI? ⚠️ Who sets the news agenda — and who benefits from it? 👉 Subscribe for more bold conversations:    / @thetea_network   🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.patreon.com/TheTeawithMyr... #TheTeaWithMyriamFrancois #IdentityPolitics #ClassVsIdentity #AshSarkar #DEI #LeftPolitics #LabourParty #Palestine #StopTheGenocide #AntiRacismDebate #YourParty AUDIO CREDITS Presenter–Producer: Dr. Myriam François Guest: Ash Sarkar Senior producer: Sara Farolfi Producer: Nadège Bizimungu Assistant Producer: Poppy Jacobs Research: Leena Khan Video Editor: Max Bubnov An MPWR Productions show. 00:00:00 Intro – Competing victimhood and identity debates 00:00:38 Meet Ash Sarkar – The Queen of Woke 00:01:09 Minority Rule: Ash’s critique of identity politics 00:02:18 Reactions to the book – backlash, support & misreadings 00:03:52 The problem with performative “wokeness” 00:04:44 How endless discourse analysis paralyzes movements 00:07:30 Policing language and middle-class gatekeeping 00:07:50 Emma Watson, JK Rowling & social media outrage 00:10:27 Celebrity allyship vs real political change 00:13:06 Why movements fail without organization 00:15:35 How identity became central to politics on all sides 00:17:14 Competitive victimhood and the limits of lived experience 00:20:24 Weaponizing identity – when empathy becomes control 00:22:42 Diane Abbott controversy and antisemitism debates 00:25:06 Racism vs prejudice – unpacking structural inequality 00:30:00 Understanding modern racism: class, culture & power 00:35:00 Intersectionality, solidarity & what real allyship means 00:40:00 Rebuilding collective power in a fragmented left 00:45:00 Identity vs material politics – finding common ground 00:50:00 Lessons from history and movements around the world 00:55:00 Toward collective liberation – final reflections 00:57:00 Closing thoughts & outro Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest(s) on The Tea YouTube series and podcast are their own and do not reflect those of MPWR Productions or its licensees. The appearance of this YouTube programme and podcast on social media platforms does not imply endorsement by MPWR Productions. MPWR Productions disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of the podcast and its recordings to the fullest extent permissible by law. This video is intended for informational and commentary purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the guest and creators. The inclusion of public figures or journalists is based on publicly available information and does not imply guilt or wrongdoing. The views in this video do not establish a professional relationship with viewers and do not constitute legal, professional, or personal advice. Viewer discretion is advised.