Abstract: Deconstructionism is often seen as a radical anti-essentialist theory, but for G. C. Spivak it is a critique toward that which "we have to inhabit in." This means that deconstructionism not only allows but also requests us to strategically use essentialism. It is Spivak's interpretation of Derrida along this trajectory, this paper argues, that frees deconstructionism from the accusation of relativism and nihilism, and merges with Marxist criticism on capitalism, which makes it possible for the subaltern to construct its subjective consciousness and to maintain a ground for resistance.

Key words: deconstructionism, strategic essentialism, subaltern, subjective consciousness