a person who judges the merits of literary, artistic, or musical works
from Greek kritikos 'able to judge'
Critics are CRITICAL - they judge everything with a critical eye!
Female critics faced exclusion from major institutions and bylines through 20th century. Even today, women critics receive less syndication, lower pay, and more dismissal as 'opinion' vs. male critics' 'authority'.
When citing critical voices, audit gender balance in sources. Credit women critics equally; don't default to male critical canon.
Pioneering female critics like Susan Sontag, bell hooks, and Pauline Kael fought for institutional credibility that is now sometimes attributed to their male successors.
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