Othering

My previous blog was a reaction to Mandy regarding an authentic performance of Non-Western music. But, in her argument (Mandy… I’m totally not picking on you… you’re just making me think a lot, so THANK YOU!!!), there is a great amount of “othering.” In my previous blog, there is a great amount of “othering.” Why do we have “us’s” and “them’s” and “we’s” and “they’s?”

I believe there is a human need to categorize. I do not know where this comes from, but I’d love to research and find out. It may be the way the brain functions (which I think it is), or it may be a societal issue that we can deal with. I have a feeling that it is a combination of both. If it is a neurobiological phenomena, then is this something that we can help? And, if we stop “othering” (even if it is apple vs. orange or fruit vs. vegetable), how can we learn? Is this something that learning theory should take into account?

Please… your thoughts on an underdeveloped idea!!!