Building Solidarity in Oppressed Identities

Focusing on building solidarity among oppressed minorities to protect themselves from society's victimization can be a valuable strategy. While strategic essentialism for group identities may help fight against injustice, it becomes dangerous when institutions impose this strategy on individuals. Giving individuals the choice to associate with such groups is crucial, rather than forcing them to participate. The concept of strategic essentialism can sometimes be misused, leading to a more harmful form of essentialism. The imposition of identity from the outside, as seen in universities or schools mandating participation in certain groups, is concerning. Individuals must have the freedom to choose their associations to prevent the misuse of identity strategies.