Tuesday, November 9, 2021

What Is Othering? (And Why We Should Stop Doing It)

Strategic othering may be used by leaders or political parties to justify certain actions or to invoke public support from people who respond to those fears and anxieties.
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Healthy Mind
What Is Othering?
Othering is a phenomenon in which some individuals or groups are defined and labeled as not fitting in within the norms of a social group. It is an "us vs. them" way of thinking about people, and involves looking at others and saying "they are not like me" or "they are not one of us."

On an individual level, othering plays a role in the formation of prejudices against people and groups. On a larger scale, it can also play a role in the dehumanization of entire groups of people which can then be exploited to drive changes in institutions, government policies, and societies. It can lead to the persecution of marginalized groups, the denial of rights, or even acts of violence against others who are not part of your "in group."

Here are some things that you can do to help minimize othering and its harmful consequences.
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