The Pros And Cons Of Othering

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Throughout the annals of humanity, there have been two predominant groups in a society. The first group is made up of individuals who possess the power to define the proper characteristics of those who belong into the dominant group. The secondary groups of people are referred to as the “others”. The “other” is nothing more than a mere social construct developed by the dominant party to either exclude or subordinate the groups of people who do not fit the normal characteristics or mores of the dominant group in their respective society. This process is dehumanizing, and these appellations create social barriers that inhibit the growth and evolution of society. Othering is a very insidious process that defies the human conscience. Furthermore, this process has perpetuated xenophobia, gender discrimination, genocide, and various other crimes against the dignity of humankind.
Creating “others” does nothing to advance the human species. Instead this application of discriminatory labels has separated humans from one another. These barriers and constructs have been used to justify slavery, genocide, gender discrimination, apartheid, and various other atrocities. The first step in creating an “other” is stripping a person of their humanity. This process is gradual, and it is not noticeable.
It only takes one pejorative term to initiate this process. Once a negative thought about an individual or a group of people coalesces then the “other” is created. By separating humans into different constructs and groups, the apathy and prejudice of disenfranchised group grows over time. Once the label and construct is firmly established; the humanity of the stigmatized group is expunged. This paves the way for discrimination, and hate to suffuse ...

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... proved to be a severe detriment to human society in terms of not only gender equality, but racial and religious equality as well. Racial and religious constructs are artificial, Race and religion was determined by the dominant society. The dominant group chose the racial characteristics that were favorable, and the people who did not possess these characteristics were marginalized. The dominant group also embraced a certain religious creed that reinforced their morals and standards. The individuals who did possess these characteristics were now considered an “other”. Othering allowed for the justification for the Holocaust, the Bosnian genocide, imperialism, slavery, and other heinous practices. The groups of people that possessed a different skin color, religion, culture, morals, and other traits were subjected to the greatest evils, because they were dehumanized.

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