JUST PHILOSOPHISING - ON THE PREVALENCE AND TRANSFERABILITY OF A STATE OF 'OTHERNESS' ! PART 1.

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That sense of feeling that 'I/we' do not belong in this place where we now find ourselves.  

 Or, since the feeling is at its strongest when it is subjectively felt, 'I now find myself'. 

 Is one which all humans will or is likely to find themselves experiencing, at some point in our lives. 

 Our societies are repleted with groups and categories of people, who, due to some specific attributes, which they do not share with the majority of other humans around them.  


Are made, intentionally and unintentionally, to 'feel' that they do not 'belong.' 

 They do not have the 'right' to be where they are, at that given space and time. 

 That they are counted amongst the 'out group', the 'lesser group', that they belong to or with 'the other.' 

 Of course, this 'made to feel' feeling is more complex, in its origins, than might appear to be the case. 


Since is it not always a straightforward case of external stimuli evoking an 'appropriate internal response' from the 'other.'

 No; part of this response is likely to be determined by previous experiences of 'otherness', which the 'outgrouper' will have had.  

 And the 'mindset', including the mental and practical preparation, which we have carried into the situation which we are now being confronted with.

 To be continued!



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