Othering – The Root of Human Evil

Please note that we are NOT the original writers of this blog post. All credit goes to the original writers. Find the original post as published at this link: http://mdpofsd.blogspot.com/2014/05/othering-root-of-all-human-evil.html

What is the Origin of all human evil?

Many claim it’s money. But I think it is something different. A contagious behaviour so jarring that effects all human beings to several degrees regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, faith, presence of disability or lack thereof, social class, education level, political affiliation, and much more. This behavior can be seen in the highest levels of education and the lowest levels of ignorance. It’s exhibited by social justice advocates and the”Oppressors” alike. It happens in society’s elite in addition to the downtrodden.

This behaviour is infectious. It spreads from one person to another like a virus. Many times this behavior is blatantly obvious. Other times it’s hidden in intellectual discussions and writings of educated advocates of worthwhile causes.

This behaviour is responsible for incalculable human suffering. In its most powerful form, it has led to the deaths of millions and individual acts of unspeakable cruelty. In its milder form it crops up all over the internet in blogs, articles, memes, and commentary. Most those who exhibit and spread the behavior are unaware of it and the effect it has on them. They don’t see how this behaviour feeds on itself. They don’t know that if you put out a little, you get a lot back in return.

This behaviour is”Othering“. Othering is emotionally classifying”others” of some group to be fundamentally different than yourself. Othering denies the simple humanity of the”Othered”. Othering combines prejudice, bias, objectivism, and more into a toxic mental process and supersedes rational thinking and balanced judgment.

But the true danger of Othering comes out of its appeal. It has the capability to make those who use it feel be good. It justifies their beliefs. It creates camaraderie. Othering bypasses the”thinking brain” and speaks straight to the emotional brain, thus it makes it much easier to get your opinion across to vulnerable listeners. Othering allows you to skip the need to utilize time consuming precision, facts, and logical statements.

Your supporters subsequently, spread your Othering message. People who have opposite opinions, react emotionally to the Othering. Many of them will have their thinking brains become dormant as they formulate their own Othering established response. Othering creates a backlash. No matter how worthy the cause, the use of Othering provides short term satisfaction and long term harm to both your cause and humankind.

Othering can be hard to spot. But once you recognize the idea, you will begin to see it in many places and forms. Overt prejudice is easy to identify as Othering. It’s the Othering that is concealed in the writings of the”educated” that requires a little practice to recognize. The easiest method to find Othering requires the Word Replacement Test. For instance, start with using two classes in history that have been historically Othered, Blacks and Jews.

Start the Word Replacement Test

“Not all men beat their spouses, but people who beat their partners are mostly men.”

Now, replace guys with Jews.

“Not all Jews beat their partners, but people who beat their partners are largely Jews.”

Next, replace men with Blacks

“Not all Blacks beat their spouses, but people who beat their spouses are mostly Black.”

End Evaluation

But wait you say, the individuals who beat their partners ARE men, everybody knows that. Thus, it can’t be Othering if it’s true. Before deciding if the”science is settled” on that matter, please refer to these links:

More than 40% of domestic violence victims are male, report shows

Woman-to-Woman Sexual Violence: Does She Call It Rape?

On the other hand, “Not many guys beat their partners, but people who beat their partners are mostly guys.” , this statement is designed to Other men. It’s not meant to open the door to additional  intellectual discussion on the topic.  In actuality, it’s meant to silence it or create an emotional reaction. Understanding why some women beat their partners would provide more information as to why some men beat their partners because women and men are both human beings with more similarities than differences. Othering is intended to limit information and promote emotion.

The antidote to Othering is to comprehend the fundamental human nature of all people. Those that Other shouldn’t be Othered either. Most of them, truly believe they’re helping their cause. They see themselves as passionate promoters and activists.