Outgoing Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Jamie Harrison on Thursday defended the party’s use of identity politics in its approach, pushing back against critics who say Democrats should abandon race-based strategies. did.

Harrison, whose term ends on Feb. 1, cited his own experience as a Black man in a speech to the Arizona Democratic National Committee, saying minorities should see the Democratic Party as their own, and that “it’s not just that.” It’s not an excuse whether we win or lose.” According to To the Associated Press.

“When I wake up in the morning, when I look in the mirror, when I walk out the door, I can’t scrub this off,” he said, gesturing to his face. “This is who I am. This is how the world perceives me.”

Jamie Harrison talks about becoming the new DNC chair and the future of the Democratic Party. “We’re going to be very aggressive and invest in every state to make sure Joe Biden has a majority that he can grow in 2022.” pic.twitter.com/aj0XbEh7WF

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 22, 2021

“That’s my identity,” Harrison continued. “And it’s not politics. It’s my life. And the people that I need in the party, the people that I need to stand up for me, need to realize that. Run away from that. I can’t. (Related: Democrats plan to elect new leadership following President Trump’s inauguration)

He hinted that there were unresolved grievances within the party and hinted that “the muzzle will come off” after a successor is selected. The paper said he has no plans to support a successor and announced that he is writing a book detailing his experiences during his four-year term.

“This is it, folks,” Harrison concluded his speech. “I’ll save the rest for the book. And I’m naming names.”

Harrison, who was elected DNC chair in January 2021 with the support of President Joe Biden, previously served as the first African-American chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

He ran for the Senate in 2020, but lost by 11 percentage points to incumbent South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, despite raising record campaign contributions.