One of the pleasures of identity politics is watching groups argue over who is the bottom of the bottom. People, their voices tinged with furious anger, trying to explain why their group deserves the title wretched of the earth. Of course once you start engaging into this title match, logic and sanity leave the room.  Logic leaves because comparative oppression is usually played by those who know very little about what it means to be down-trodden. Sanity takes a hike because let’s be honest: what type of person puts stock into winning something that announces loser status?

When Teams Clinton and Obama were fighting it out during the primary, the oppression game was in full swing. Charges and counter charges of racism and sexism were in the air (morning Geraldine Ferraro). According to the good people at Rasmussen Reports, more Americans think race is a bigger obstacle to overcome than gender. Of course where you stand on this question, might have much to do with your race and gender, but it still strikes me as a false argument. Discrimination, whether it is triggered by gender, race, sexual orientation, keeps that  “perfect union” a bit more illusory.