Word: essentialist
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Beauvoir, for her part, took on the question by denying its validity. Rejecting essentialist explanations for the female condition, Beauvoir famously declared, “one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” The “eternal feminine”—those behaviors and character traits that set women apart from men—were humanly created, Beauvoir argued, not natural. Rather than evidencing a perverted female essence or mistaken choice, feminine traits reflected woman’s situation. For Beauvoir, women’s biological nature could never be experienced apart from...
...portrayal of black sexuality, stereotypes, and a departure from what Eleganza claimed to be—a fashion show. “I was disturbed and disappointed by a portion of the show that featured students, many of whom are African American men, acting in animalistic ways that reproduce essentialist stereotypes about black male sexuality,” wrote Patterson, referring to the scene he called “King of the Jungle.” “This aspect of the show left me wondering what was elegant or even alluring about this atavistic display of primitivism. Would...
...their plans they would counter that logic had no role because this was the will of God. But that would be an assumption on his part. And that exposes the essential arbitrariness, at least for now, of the Pope's approach. If he wants to make an "essentialist" argument against Islam-that is, to suggest that there may be something in it that is intrinsically more friendly to fanaticism-then he needs to do it in some way other than the seemingly casual, off-the-cuff route he has chosen...
...ethnic studies departments or ensure themselves a permanent affirmative-action check-off box of graduate school application, ethnic activists who demand such special treatment from institutions should take heed of Guinier's warnings about entrenching racial divisions and categorizations. Measures like racial gerrymandering, Guinier warns, "may be rigidly essentialist, presumptuously isolating, or politically divisive." Race-based affirmative action and separate ethnic studies departments (Asian American, Latino, etc.) share the same essentialist, presumptuous and divisive potential...
...exhibition--curated by Bruce Ferguson, Lia Gangitano, and Matthew Teitelbaum--mounts a formidable attack against essentialist arguments for the make female distinctions, and opens up artistic inquiry into broader considerations on social constructions. "Dress Codes" brilliantly harnesses many of the recent developments in feminism, gay and lesbian studies, cultural studies and gender studies into a cohesive body of work. Unlike many recent exhibitions or contemporary art, this one clearly illuminates the interconnectedness within the diversity of critical thought...