Though the slogan “The personal is political” initially called attention to how personal life was affected by political arrangement, it also captured the sense that transforming American life could begin at the personal level. Much of a generation was inspired by the idea that transforming, even revolutionizing America could start at the personal level–through interpersonal behavior. However worthy the goal of improving society through individual self-betterments, the definition of self-betterment and particular ideas for bringing it about ultimately sidetracked the struggle for justice and equality. Finding one’s identity became more important than the political project of attaining equality or building community.
Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn, Race Matters: How Racial Etiquette, Sensitivity Training, and New Age Therapy HIJACKED the Civil Rights Revolution, p. 63-64.
Love these quotes from Elizabeth Lasch-Quinn. I watched an interview with her yesterday and am keen to read more!