Unsolicited critique happens to marginalized people as a part of existing in shared spaces, and is frequently paired with (or justified by) the phrase "I just thought you'd like to know!"
- Unsolicited critiques of a marginalized person's everyday presentation or activities create feelings of exposure and surveillance
- This reminds marginalized people that their existence is subject to the approval of the dominant culture
- Unsolicited critiques of a person's work or creative endeavors put them in the position of needed to choose how to respond to feedback at unexpected times
- This amounts to an "emotional labor tax"
- Since marginalized people are expected to be pleasant and accomodating, choosing not to accept the critique as valid is difficult and may carry heavy consequences
- Related to Unsolicited advice and Body policing
Examples
- "You'd look so good if you only wore a little more makeup!"
- "Your talk was pretty good- a little rocky at the beginning but you smoothed out alright once you got going." (in a social context where critique was not solicited)
- "Your email this morning was really harsh- I just thought you'd like to know."