“Othering” and Minority Issues
In the discussion, “othering” refers to the connection people have with each other as opposed to the ones that are not like them. In other words, the person or persons are regarded as part of a “historical generation,” distinguishing themselves from others who are not a part of that generation. According to Diana George and John Trimbur (43), there is a bond between those who have created a common bond, common experiences, and a common history. Even within this context, there is a difference in the way generations view the goals and aspirations of previous generations. The groups are bonded together by these elements, and most often, the ones that are in the minority are treated in a disparaging way, as they do not adhere to the cultural coherence of the majority. In this discussion, “othering” is a continuous phenomenon in many regions of the world. This has not changed much over the many generations where the expectancy would be for changes to have occurred. It is important to note that, even though “the term generation denotes change (George and Trimbur 43), the first part of the discussion shows that change has not occurred even though generations have had differing experiences as well as “new life and new growth” (George and Trimbur 43). Kiswana Browne’s story reflects this view. Having said that, there are the individual cases such as Dave Marsh’s story that reflects his epiphany of seeing the futility of racism. Furthermore, the discussion gives evidence of how, even today nothing has changed to how Lawrence Grossberg reflects on the youth as targets of minority “othering.” Following this, Mike Pope taps into a “similar” youth targeting campaign. The second part of the discussion speaks to, and analyzes the Teenage Wasteland according to Donna Gaines.
In light of the discussion, many have grown up with supposed new ways, yet they have not changed in their treatment of minority groups. Even though they do speak of parents being old-fashioned, and believe that things are different, the inherent beliefs of parents are often passed on to the next generation. However, the generations often take a different route to accomplish their goals. This can be seen in the way the short story Kiswana Browne unfolds. Melanie changed her name to Kiswana that is assumed an African name (George and Trimbur 47). She also adopted the Ashanti religion as can be deduced from the fact that she told her mother that she would be hanging her Ashanti print over the couch (George and Trimbur 49). Kiswana seemed to have taken a different route as her mum’s way of life. Her mother was seemingly more affluent and living in a better environment than where she was living. Kiswana’s decision to live in a poor area was an attempt to be what she was meant to be “Black.” This is seen in the fact that she thought about her brother’s stance on the need to discover their “blackness and protesting on campus” (George and Trimbur 48). This very decision is what is part of this discussion – the view people have of Black people – that they are always poor and living in circumstances such as Kiswana. However, Kiswana soon discovers that, as she sit across from her mother, she realizes that she is just about “two feet away” from the woman she was to become (George and Trimbur 51). This is a matter of perhaps understanding that she would not take long to realize that her – Kiswana’s – generation has not moved too far from the concepts and understanding of their previous generation. This is one story that could represent the argument that generations have a particular view on being “Black” that has not changed over the many decades, especially in the United States where freedom of the slaves and equality was supposed to have leveled the playing field.
Racism is one of the aspects mentioned here that a next generation often has difficulty in escaping, especially if the person grows up with such tendencies as examples. Many of the younger generations grow up oblivious of the realities of racial barriers. It is to be understood that children do not have a clear understanding as they grow up, but the examples and almost “subliminal” truths are all around them. Such was the case of Dave Marsh. Yet, in his writing he determines the fate of whites as well as those who were poor, and could be overrun by large corporations such as General Motors in Pontiac where they lived (George and Trimbur 55). Marsh was not really exposed to segregation in Pontiac, Michigan, but found that in Florida, there were clear signs of segregation. As his consciousness grew, he realized that racism was a great trap” as it was used as a tool for anything from “unemployment to the deterioration of community itself” (George and Trimbur 57). As with the poor Black syndrome that the Kiswana Browne story highlighted, here too, the assumption was that Black people are generally poor and loved living that way. This view has not changed, and still exists to this day. There is no thought of the inequality that existed. However, Dave Marsh realized that if racism were not part of the equation, then nothing else would therefore make any sense. As he states: “Nothing else could be taken at face value” (George and Trimbur 59). One must realize that there are some individuals – such as Dave Marsh – who do find being non-racist is a heavy burden off the shoulders, and that no community is worthless (George and Trimbur 59).
Even though one always assumes that a minority has to do with race, there is also the reality that a younger generation could also be seen as a minority. This is especially true if they are to be exploited for a particular purpose. Such was the case of the American Youth that was targeted to establish an American Identity after World War II. Grossberg (George and Trimbur 62) stipulated that the future of America was in the hands of the children of the land. Hence, the focus was projected onto the next generation after the war. According to Mike Pope Generation X was another minority that was targeted by corporates, but has eventually “been loaded with cynical subtext and subtle derision” (George and Trimbur 74). This was a group of younger people who were now the forerunners of the Internet usage, and the builders of online companies.
This part of the essay analyzes Donna Gaines’ Teenage Wasteland. This particular article centers on a real life event – the suicide pact that occurred at the Bergenfield High School in New Jersey in the USA, and it reflects on the situation that arose from the event. She speaks of the analysis of what happened that led to the school becoming a moral authority in terms of dealing with such issues. Aspects emerged such as the preventative services, which included the use of “peer leadership,” involvement of parents, and youth outreach programs. (George and Trimbur 64). It is in these prevented services that eventually led to the issue of the “burnouts” becoming a problem, as she mentions in her article. The sad event helped the community to find solutions.
It centered on the problems that might have led to the suicide pact, which referred to the fact that the school was a “teenage wasteland.” An important aspect was the recording of the dropout rate as well as the fact that the dropouts seem to “go to never never-land,” as the school board president noted. At the same time, he seemed to have negated the fact that the school was not responsible. According to the school, what happened to the students were of their own doing, and the process of how they got there was not ever under discussion. However, the dedicated program to assist these students, led to very successful preventative services that has been replicated all over the USA. Donna Gaines showed through here writing that there might have been some hope for the “burnouts.” This word describes well the need to reach out to the young ones in trouble.
At the same time, however, the issue of the “burnouts” – the kids who were supposedly turning their backs on “support, concern, and care “– became the minority that were not given the space to be open about their concerns. Instead, this group of self-ordained outcasts – with a ““peer-regulated” subculture” – has become a marginalized group, specifically in Bergenfield. It carried the stamp of the critique young people have of adulthood that there is no openness about what is really going on. This makes young people clamp up and not willing to say what is on their minds (George and Trimbur 66). The discussion around this teenage wasteland, according to Donna Gaines, epitomizes the “othering” spoken of before. In this latter case, it is a matter of the adults versus the teenage culture. It is the unchanging views of the way the adult world sees the teenage world, and the lack of understanding of both groups.
Works Cited
George, Diana, and John Trimbur. Chapter 2: Generations 43-45. New York: Longman, 2001.
Print.
Naylor, Gloria. Kiswana Browne. George and Trimbur 45-52.
Marsh, Dave. Fortunate Son. George and Trimbur 53-61.
Grossbergh, Lawrence. Youth and American Identity. George and Trimbur 61-64.
Pope, Mike. Gen X’s Enduring Legacy: The Internet. George and Trimbur 73-75.
Gaines, Donna. Teenage Wasteland. George and Trimbur 64-67.
