Critiques of essentialism that target only the marginalized reinforce existing domination.

Evidence

If one sets out to do a critique of metaphysics, there is no escape from the metaphysical enclosure. You cannot simply assert, “I will be anti-essentialist” and make that stick, for you cannot not be an essentialist to some degree. The critique of essentialism is predicated upon essentialism. This is why it is especially important to choose as an object of critique something which we love, or which we cannot not desire, cannot not wish to inhabit, however much we wish also to change it. — Donna Landry and Gerald MacLean, The Spivak Reader, 55 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Essentialisms that take for granted received categories and relations of difference - and particularly the practices used in defining and naturalizing them run the risk of being appropriated by states, institutions, elites, and other parties that seek to sustain or extend relations of social inequality and domination. — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 291 (#expands, via linked claim)

Mahalingam (2003) examined essentialism in the context of the caste system in India and found that Brahmins endorsed a selective form of essentialism that justified their group’s position of privilege in the system. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1413 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Essentialist assertions of authority come chiefly from dominant, not marginalized, groups. — bell hooks, Teaching to Transgress: Education as…, 167; A critique of essentialism must remain internal to essentialism. — Donna Landry and Gerald MacLean, The Spivak Reader: Selected Works of…, 55; Essentialist notions of group difference get appropriated by elites to sustain domination. — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 291 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• A critique of essentialism must remain internal to essentialism. #complicates (0.82) — Donna Landry and Gerald MacLean, The Spivak Reader, 55
• Essentialist notions of group difference get appropriated by elites to sustain domination. #expands (0.75) — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 291
• Privileged castes selectively endorse essentialism that justifies privilege #expands (0.72) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1413