What Makes an "Other"

From Wing Young Huie's Album We are the Other (2012-2013)
Accessed September 5, 2014

We see it in TV shows and in movies- the stereotypical African-American church. Usually it is contrasted with scenes of white folks conversing as they walk out of a different church after Sunday's service.  I've see this in The Help, obviously because it takes place in Mississippi in the 1960s, but I also see it when I watch the reality show Preacher's Daughters on Lifetime, which takes place today. Upon looking at this photograph, you see a church service populated by African-Americans.  There are those dressed casually and those dressed up.  There are those flying solo and  then there are those with spouses and children.  Some are standing, and some are sitting. Everyone looks pretty comfortable and content.  Not too complicated, right?

Now let's address the elephant in the room: the sole white person in the entire room.  I don't know about you, but this is not something I tend to see in the TV shows depicting the stereotypical African-American church.  She stands out predominantly because she is white, but also because she is the person who seems most into the service.  This brings forth my observation earlier that everyone looks comfortable and content. This woman has her hands up, eyes closes, and rear out of her seat, like she probably does every week  No one else is paying much mind to her. She may stand out, but she also fits in.

There is nothing wrong with this scene; it's just unique.  Huie did not take this photo so that we can wonder where on earth this white woman thinks she is, but rather so that we will notice how confident she is in herself.   Huie presents the concept of "othering" just by having this white woman as the primary focus of this picture.  Her skin color is different than everyone else's in the room; therefore, we classify her as "different." Humans are social animals and find comfort in establishing a presence in a group. One of these groups has been race.  The African-American woman on the left-hand side of the photograph smiling at the camera is looked over.  The adorable baby with the giant white flower headband is looked over.  We see the "other" in the room: the white woman.

Atwood displays "othering" by classifying women based on what they wear.  The most significant "others" (maybe a little pun intended) are the Handmaids.  They stand out because they wear red.  They're humans, just like everyone else around them.  They're women, just like everyone else who is being oppressed.  But they wear red.  Similar to how one would view Huie's photograph, if a Handmaid walks into a room, everyone notices her.  Not because she is doing anything especially extraordinary or horrific, but rather because of her appearance.  The "others" become "others" because of the connotations that are attached to appearance.