ch2. Being of Becoming the Stranger
Summary
Main Question: What is the benefit of Othering?
1. Identity
From the story of “The Artificial Nigger”, by Flannery O’Conner, the young boy Nelson is educated by his uncle, Mr. Head. Through the education, an innocent boy-or a boy without a prejudice-become someone who discriminates black people. At first, the boy receives the walking black man as a ‘man’. However, Mr. Head teaches the boy that he is ‘BLACK’. Later, they both unite against the black people. Through the story we can know that race is more than appearance of gene but it has something to do with relationship. “So when we speak or write of the stranger, the outsider, the Other, we should keep in mind what the relationship signifies.”
2. Pleasure
Secondly, the author talks about the narrations of slaves. How slaves talks about their life. They explain how cruel the owners are. The owners punish the slaves without real gain. Reading the story of slaves, the author questions about why they are punishing. What is the reason for whipping even though they cannot replace broken jar? The author explains that it is behavior of self-establishment.
3. Ownership
The author then talks about her own story. How she perceived a strange black woman. The reason the behavior of welcoming a strange black woman, was not because she respected her as a person but she perceived the woman as herself and someone that she owns. Someone that is part of her and someone that wouldn’t heart or betray that she can own her.
My Analysis
Othering can be related to Ownership and Identity of oneself. Meaning you are othering others to show your Identity or you can expect people to do something that you expect to do as if they are your property.
Question
Is there a difference between discrimination and differentiation?
What is the point of the term ‘Caucasian’?
