Strategic essentialism collapses when applied to consciousness-in-general rather than class.
Evidence
The strategy becomes most useful when “consciousness” is being used in the narrow sense, as self-consciousness. When “consciousness” is being used in that way, Marx’s notion of unalienated practice or Gramsci’s notion of an “ideologically coherent” “spontaneous philosophy of the multitude” are plausible and powerful. For class-consciousness does not engage the ground level of consciousness—consciousness in general. — Donna Landry and Gerald MacLean, The Spivak Reader, 1763
Categorization
- XREF: Feeds directly into whether ironic identity performance is available collectively rather than only to individuals. — connects to: Strategic essentialism was historically necessary but may no longer suffice — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2: Identity…, 288; A strategic essentialist identity can silence the very groups it unites — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2: Identity…, 248; Postmodern thought replaces class-based ideology with group-based consciousness. — Fredric Jameson, Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic…, 699 (+1 more)
Broader Connections
- Strategic essentialism was historically necessary but may no longer suffice
#qualifies(0.82) — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 288 - A strategic essentialist identity can silence the very groups it unites
#complicates(0.78) — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 248 - Postmodern thought replaces class-based ideology with group-based consciousness.
#exemplifies(0.75) — Fredric Jameson, Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic…, 699