Can you remember a time when you felt outside a group, but couldn’t really understand why? Most -if not all- people have had this experience at least once, and no matter how old we are or how far along we get in life, it still leaves a mark. To make matters worse, many of us experience othering at a systemic, ongoing basis, making it difficult to outmaneuver.
However, most of us can also recall a time when we felt totally and wholly accepted. Even if just briefly, we can remember times when we knew that we belonged. What this breadth of experience tells us is that while we know how to other people, we also know how to make a space truly welcoming. And if we don’t know, we can learn. In other words, othering and belonging are skills.
On today’s episode, I’m coming to you solo to share my own experiences with othering and belonging, as well as some insights on where to start if you are dedicated to making your space -whether it be social, political, or professional- a welcoming, accepting place.
Links
Emerald Anderson Ford’s Substack: A Liberated Life
The Othering and Belonging Institute
Vernā Myers TEDx: How to Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Toward Them.
On Being with Krista Tippett: Opening to the Question of Belonging, john a. powell
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Episode created and hosted by Erin Allgood
Production and editing by Steph George
Music by Chris Marion
On Othering and Belonging