Search from various English teachers...
Brazil flagAli
Would you mind helping me with this sentence? What does making the other "other," mean? The sentence is We can stop making the other "other," and instead protect each other as a family.

Answers · 3

3
It's not written in a clear way, but the sentence is trying to get us to pay attention to how we feel about people. The word "other" can be FELT in different ways. When I say "me and the other members of my family" I'm using "Other" in an INCLUSIVE and positive way. Yes, they are OTHER people, but they are part of my family and we are a team! But if I say "when I get on the bus I don't like to sit close to other people" I am using the word in a negative way. I'm using it to divide the people into two groups that don't want to interact. "There is me, and there are those OTHER people I don't want to talk to." So..."We can stop making the other "other""... is about switching the meaning of the word from being INCLUSIVE to being EXCLUSIVE.
1
I don't have the context of the sentence, but it sound to me like it addresses racism. "We are family," "we are all one family," "when you see a stranger, you should not see a stranger, but rather a friend waiting to be made" might be phrases expressing the opposite of this thought. Making the other the "other" means you see this individual as different from you and become defensive. Some of what you write about "other" may be on the edge of poetry, but again, I only have one sentence with which to work. I hope this helps you. So, after writing this, have I overcome my "otherness?" Warm regards.
0
One of the easiest ways to victimize other human beings is to regard them as "other." There's a popular theory around the use of "other" as part of an "out group," meaning, not connected or attached to the "in group." So when the "in group," (a gang lets say), encounters someone that's considered part of the "out group," someone of a different race, ethnicity, social status or gender, etc., the out group member is considered by the in group as "other," and therefore, available to be attacked or victimized in whatever way the in group chooses and considers acceptable. What the person is saying in this sentence is that the in group has to stop making the out group "other," and instead, consider them as other in group members that aren't yet known or included, but will be.

Still haven’t found your answers?

Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!

Start Learning Today