Otherness - Research Paper Example

Otherness Otherness A Summary of Otherness It does truly seem as if the world is out to get us sometimes. There are times in the lives of most people where they feel they are alone in this game called life. We try to fit in with a certain group, only to be shunned. We think we have arrived, only to discover we have actually fallen flat. The concept of ‘otherness’ is truly an us against the world mentality. When experienced, the individual often feels that they are fighting an uphill battle against society.

This concept does not simply refer to an individual who is ‘different’ than everyone else, because that is simply not the case. Otherness occurs at different times in life when we simply feel that either we are not fully understood and accepted by society, or when we simply struggle to fit in. It can occur during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. In other words, no person is immune from its potential effects, so it helps to be prepared for those times when ‘otherness’ creeps in. ‘This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona’ This particular short story is a great example of ‘otherness’.

Here we have the main character in the story, Victor, in a terrible spot following his father’s death. With no money to get to where he needs to be in order to pick up the cremated remains of his dad, he must turn to a childhood acquaintance who he shunned many years ago. Since that time, society has shunned Thomas as well, leaving him to live a life of talking to himself because ‘nobody would listen’ Alexie, 2010). Thomas is certainly experience otherness as he feels that everyone in the community fails to understand him.

He has gifts and abilities, yet others refuse to see that. This way of thinking has gone on since childhood and continues through to the time Victor runs into him in the Indian Affairs Office. Sherman Alexie is clearly making a point through this short story. Thomas may be in the minority, making him different from others in the community, but this also prohibits others from truly understanding him. What appears to be different on the outside may be mainstream on the inside. Thomas had a unique way of thinking that caused him to develop this sense of ‘otherness’.

He saw things that others did not. Perhaps the author is making the point that the majority group in society is often fearful of entertaining a different way of thinking. They are afraid that those who would dare to behave differently would affect the balance in life that they have grown to love so much. This is certainly reflected in this story. In order for society to begin to notice those who are different, they often must make themselves vulnerable, or enter into a sense of desperation. This can certainly be seen in the character of Victor.

Victor was a desperate man - so desperate, in fact, that he gladly entertains the notion of befriending Thomas. This is the same Thomas that Victor ridiculed along with society all those years ago. Through the long drive to Phoenix, Victor began to understand Thomas. He took time to listen. He dared to entertain a way of thinking contrary to his own. Through this, we see the persona of Thomas change as he encounters one of the only people in his life that appeared to try to understand him. In the end, his ‘otherness’ is broken down and he and Victor begin to have a mutual understand and acceptance of one another.

Identifying and Assisting Students Who Are Experiencing Otherness As mentioned, anyone can experience otherness. It is commonly more easily noticed with children, however, as young people tend to have difficulty accepting those who think or act differently than the majority. Teachers, therefore, are wise to look out for children who are experiencing otherness. Some of the signs to look for include: 1) children who spend an in ordinate amount of time alone, or talking to themselves, 2) children who truly act or talk in such a way that is noticeably different from others in the class, or 3) children who simply are struggling to fit in and make their mark on the class.

There are, of course, other manifestations of otherness, but these are likely some of the signs that would be noticed by a teacher who spends 6-8 hours a day with the same children (Van Pelt, 2000, p. 12). It is important to remember that the above indicators do not necessarily mean a child is experiencing otherness. Some children are simply quite, or prefer to be alone. This does not make them ‘different’, and they may genuinely feel accepted by their peers. If, however, a child truly feels alone and they struggle to fit in, this could certainly affect their overall psyche, and the teacher could be a great help in this area.

To assist such students, the student could develop peer buddy programs to help those who act differently than the mainstream student to begin to adjust to a new culture and way of thinking. In addition, the teacher can make sure that they accept the child openly and listen to their unique mindset and try to incorporate their ideas and opinions into the classroom structure. In the end, if the teacher can bring the majority group and those experiencing otherness together, the gap between behaviors can be narrowed and otherness be minimized.

References Alexie, S. (2010). This is what it means to say Phoenix Arizona. Grove Press: New York. Van Pelt, T. (2000). Otherness. Postmodern Culture, 10(2), 10-22.