The term "identity politics" was popularized by the Combahee River Collective, a group of Black feminist socialists, in their 1977 manifesto. The term was rooted in the idea that marginalized groups, particularly Black women, had the right to define their political agendas based on their unique experiences and perspectives. This approach was about bringing diverse voices together to address broader social issues, such as basic needs of food, housing, and healthcare, rather than isolating or separating groups based on identity.