Otherness

Otherness By Alexandra Huebner Western Governers University May 14, 2010 The reason there are so many definitions for otherness is because it is deeply embedded in who we are as people. The concept of otherness can refer to our sense of self or our identity, it can refer to how we subjugate ethnic groups and it can be thought of as a moral or philosophical practice. The excerpt from Dr. Seuss’s Star Bellied Sneeteches is more about discrimination and ethnocentrism than personal identity, more like a warning against letting this attitude creep in to our thinking. The literary work that I chose deals with discrimination as well, “The White House” by Claude McKay, was instrumental in bringing attention to the life and emotion of the African American during the early part of the 20th century. McKay wrote about the injustice and the lack of freedom in the modern world, and about the feelings of one who is on the outside looking in. McKay’s use of imagery reveals his pain from being excluded. In lines like this one “Your door is shut against my tightened face, And I am sharp as steel with discontent” (Poets.org, 2010),he eludes to his aggression or passionate response to being shut out. Claude McKay was a highly acclaimed poet during the Harlem Renaissance and traveled the world writing about injustice and discrimination as well as political issues (Lowney, 2004). His writing seems to be mostly about urban alienation, separation, and segregation, and bigotry which it is apparent in his poem “The White House”. The other in this poem is the author, his voice or point of view is of the one being “shut out” for merely being different. The author states how he wants to be included in the life he sees others living, the homes they have and the law that was written for them. In this line, “The pavement slabs burn loose beneath my feet, A chafing savage, down the decent street”(Poets.org,2010), the author implies that he does not belong or is not even allowed to share the sidewalk with the ones who have subjugated him; this is how the feeling of otherness is represented in this poem. Looking back on our history, there are many ways in which white people made the African American feel inferior; one way was to deny them access to public spaces, even sidewalks. It is not difficult to recognize who Claude McKay is referring to in this poem; it is the white American that is denying him basic rights or freedoms, and that is who he is directing his anger at. How do I briefly explain how I might detect, identify, and assist a student who is the victim of discrimination' This is such a difficult subject and a very important one to all teachers. For me, I would begin on the first day of class creating a space that is free from discrimination of any sort. As our schools become more diverse it becomes more difficult to detect racism, ethnocentrism, sexual discrimination and other equity issues. Students are more accustomed to sharing their space with students who do not act like they do, look like they do, speak like they do. If for example I overheard a student making a comment about another student’s lack of expensive clothing, I might approach the perpetrator after the exchange and inform that student that their comment was hurtful, inappropriate and not valid. A student from a lower economic group can’t help where his/her clothes are purchased or what label he/she is sporting. I would then speak privately with the student who was on the receiving end of that discrimination and tell him/her that they are valued not for what they are wearing but all their unique qualities that they bring to my class every day. If I witnessed students making fun of a child of Indian or Middle Eastern decent for their appearance or accent, I would address it in much the same way. I would pull the offending students aside and inform them that their behavior is not acceptable, that the other student deserves to be respected and valued as much as they do. I would then speak with the child who was teased or insulted and reassure them that they are welcome and valued. It is the responsibility of the teachers to start the very first day of school, creating rules and guidelines regarding respect and discrimination. I would begin my school year off with a discussion about what discrimination is and what it looks like. My students would be required to give me examples and a definition of racism, discrimination and ethnocentrism. I would then enlist them to come up with class rules, which will help them in the months to come, because they are the authors of the rules to begin with. As an educator, I would make sure that I have done my part in learning about my students and their unique backgrounds and ethnicity. I would investigate my own biases and eliminate any phrases or ideas that do not support equity. I would enlist my students to share their stories so that their classmates can get to know them on a deeper level. I would utilize an anti biased curriculum with books and other resources that have been selected specifically to educate and inform my students about their very diverse world. In the famous words of Kermit the Frog,” It isn’t easy being green, having to spend each day the color of the leaves, when I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow, or gold or something much more colorful like that”(Raposo,1970). We might always wish to be more like another, but we do not have to make others feel bad about who they are. The concept of “otherness” is one that we are morally obliged to repair by utilizing the right language, understanding and compassion. We should all feel as Kermit felt, that he is important even though he is green, he is content with his color, because he can’t change it, nor can we change ours. References Lowney, J. (May 2004). After All These Decades, The Complete Poems of Claude McKay. St. John's University Humanities Review vol.2.2. Retrieved May 12, 2010 from http:// www.facpub.stjohns.edu Poets.org, 2010. The White House by Claude McKay. Retrieved May 11, 2010 from http://www.poets.org Raposo,J. (1970). “Bein’ Green” [Recorded by Jim Henson”Kermit the Frog”]. Sesame Street, Children’s Television Workshop, N.Y.