The Effects of Othering

Othering, or the expulsion of others socially in a hostile manner, is disgusting.  There is no other social context that dehumanizes one group more in a communal setting.  Yet, it has been and still is and inescapable flaw of society with prime examples being modern racism and gender inequality.  Women in today's society are given a preliminary judgment by others on their appearance even before a conservation is had with them.  Today, no matter what a woman wears "a woman's clothing...sends a message" (Tannen 390) what they wear always leads to the formation of predictions regarding her nature.  If she looks as if she has not tried to look good, it is considered hostile.  All of this leads to women not being considered human beings on the same plane of existence as men, but rather objects who should always maintain a pleasing or unique appearance.  The fact that in society men do not have to go through this and women do puts women in a oppressed and sub-human position.  Racism is the most common form of othering, as it effects both genders equally.  Skin color, height, appearance, clothing all affect the disposition people have towards a person.  As a "youngish black man-a broad six feet two inches with a beard and billowing hair" (Staples 205) Brent Staples was denied service because of his appearance.  A jewelry store owner "excused herself and returned with an enormous red Doberman" perceiving him as a threat and in effect, preventing Staples from a peaceful browse.  She effectively lowered Staples to a position below her by depriving him the right to be in her store.  Appearance once again made a group of people sub-human in comparison to another.  When Sherman Alexie read "Indians Lose Again" (Alexie 179) in the newspaper, he no doubt felt the impact of dehumanization as a result of how the headline inadvertently illustrated Native Americans as losers and an inferior race.  Othering has no positive use and only serves to make people feel less than human when, in reality, nothing can change the status of human.  There is no point in trying to prove a lack of humanity in a group of humans.

Sources:
"There Is No Unmarked Woman" by Deborah Tannen
"The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" by Sherman Alexie
"Black Men and Public Space" by Brent Staples