George Floyd and Othering: A Public Health Crisis
On August 31, 2020, the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) issued a press release proclaiming "othering" as a "public health crisis." APsaA is the oldest and largest professional organization for psychoanalysts in North America, representing 3,000 members, 33 approved training institutes, and 39 affiliate societies throughout the United States.
In part the press release stated the following:
The American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) supports the Black Lives Matter movement and decries these recent acts of race-based violence.
According to the Association, "Othering" is a psychological process where one's identity is maintained in opposition to some other group which is maligned, vilified, and viewed as Other. The widespread resort to othering is a public health crisis at the root of growing divisiveness and tribalism in the U.S. and abroad. Most importantly.... "Othering is more than just scapegoating and denigration, it denies the humanity of the other and underlies acts of racial hatred and violence....
Othering occurs when we talk about Blue states vs Red States. It is manifested when we separate immigrant children from their parents. And we witness it when police unnecessarily and repeatedly kill Black people while white vigilantes are condoned and encouraged....
The Association is calling....to protect the public health of all Americans by stopping the rhetoric and institutionalization of othering....
Healing America: Justice as Brotherhood
The first article in this series stated: "When we hate and divide; when we seek to demonize, dominate and annihilate some group because of our fears: We are suffering from a form of delusion." This may be difficult to accept but it is simply the truth.
When we refer to "Justice as Fairness" or "Justice as Brotherhood" or "True Justice," we are talking about a justice which has its foundation in brotherhood and the unity of humanity, not in otherness. This kind of justice liberates and heals. It does not oppress.
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