How Do We Engage in Othering?
When we observe othering in the words or actions of others, how can we be certain it is truly occurring? This process can be illustrated through media, which often reflects how othering is embedded within constructed narratives. These mediums, functioning as a form of visual language, provide evidence of how othering is both portrayed and perpetuated.
From an ontological standpoint, how can we truly engage with the social reality of the "other," particularly when our understanding is shaped more by media representations than by direct, personal experiences? We often struggle to grasp the authenticity of our encounters with entities known only through secondary sources, rather than through firsthand interaction.
Does the "other" have power in defining boundaries and influence, or is that power solely ours when we engage in the act of othering? In Imagined Communities, Benedict Anderson argues that a nation is a socially constructed community, imagined by those who perceive themselves as part of it. He highlights how media, particularly print, plays a central role in shaping the individual's social psyche. Societies frequently invent differences between themselves and others, creating distinctions that foster a sense of common purpose and identity.
Anderson’s work is relevant because I argue that we ontologically construct identities through othering. In doing so, we develop structures of distance, often fueled by prejudice, that entrench these divides. But what exactly is prejudice? It is a preconceived opinion or attitude toward a group or individual, often based on stereotypes. Prejudice is not necessarily negative—sometimes, it can even be positive. For example, when we elevate certain individuals or groups to an idealised status, we distance ourselves from them, especially within a stratified society where equality is limited.