#7

After reading "Essentialism and Experience" by Bell Hooks, what I thinking essentialism is is certain things that separate different groups in the world. Hooks first discussed the use of essentialism in the context of the classroom. He quoted one of the critiques he was referring to and he said that "'those "in the know" commerce only with others "in the know," excluding and marginalizing those perceived to be outside the magic circle.' " He assumes that this other critique is saying that people who find similarities with themselves group together with people like them. This suggests to me that essentialism can be used as gentler term for segregation or selective recognition from individuals. Hooks continues his essay by describing the dangers of essentialism and I agree with his views on the topic because I do believe the world needs to mend together in order to have a chance in a better future. If I were to be asked what is the point of essentialism, I would say there is no point.

It is out of experience that can make essentialism dangerous or not. The critique Hooks was referring to, Fuss, describes that her views of essentialism come from her experience in the classroom. Experience come differently to everyone and Hooks clearly states that his experience in the classroom is different than that of Fuss's. This can be the reason their views on the matter of essentialism are different. To me, ideas of essentialism and generalizing people into different groups based on characteristics is the result of different experiences and environments people lived in. People who lived in different parts of the world experiencing different cultures will have different views on matters than one another and that is inevitable. The thing, in my opinion, to keep in mind is not letting these differences or experiences turn people against one another by grouping themselves together and looking down on other groups.

Genres are different types or styles of a particular art, whether it be literature, movies, etc... Genres are a good analogy of essentialism because these works of art are grouped together based on specific characteristics. People have certain preferences of genres they enjoy like comedies or tragedies. Something like genre preference in art is a suitable way of explaining why essentialism should not necessarily divide people. Although people may have different reasons to like different genres, it doesn't mean they necessary hate everyone who doesn't like their genres.