David McElroy

Why did Elizabeth Warren lie about being Cherokee? Why did she classify herself as “Native American” as a member of the Harvard Law School faculty? There’s a lot of discussion this week about her ethnicity, but few people are asking the obvious question.

Why would she lie about something so ridiculous?

Warren lied — and continues to lie — because she is held captive by an evil idea. It’s an evil idea which is at the root of progressive left politics today. It’s called “identity politics.” It’s the idea that your group identity gives you worth and identifies your values. It’s a core value of the collectivist — and it stands in stark contrast to the notion that every individual has value of his own, regardless of his ethnicity or origin or skin color or any other group identity.

Identity politics is the enemy of individual liberty. It always will be. But let’s start with the facts of Warren’s case.

I couldn’t care less whether Elizabeth Warren has a Native American ancestor or not. It’s an idiotic controversy and it always has been. But if you’ll take the time to understand the reasons for her lie, you will understand a foundational error in progressive left thinking.

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