"Othering" in Society

From Father and Sons, The Springs, California
Inside The Springs (2007)
Wing Young Huie
Accessed 9/7/2014

Upon first glance of this photo, there is one thing that clearly rings out at me: these men are Hispanic. There are three people in the photo; a father and his two sons sitting in what looks like a small apartment bedroom. They are holding pictures, pictures of their family. To the eldest son's right, you can see what little belongings the three of them can afford: a lamp without a shade, the folding chair being used as a makeshift nightstand, a candle that is known as a votive, a book, and what looks like a possible cell phone or pager. Above the three men, you can see a Disney poster hanging on the wall. There is only one bed for the three of them to share. From the looks of it, the eldest is wearing pants that are splotched with paint and a white t-shirt. The three of them are not smiling but have a look of desperation on their faces. 

When you examine the meaning behind Huie’s work a little further, you start to realize that these men are most likely Mexican Immigrants who came to America in search of a better life. The American Dream. Three words that are so emotionally charged and yet, nothing has been done about the issue of immigration reform. The two oldest are holding picture of the family that they had to leave behind in order to start a new life in America. Those are their roots because they are now the others in a foreign land. The splotched pants and white t-shirt of one of the sons signifies that he is a hard laborer who gets jobs anywhere he can. It is also a symbol of the common stereotype that all Mexicans are painters or handymen.

In America, Mexican immigrants are the prime example of what Huie is portraying as “othering”. This is because they are confined to the variety of immigrant stereotypes present in today’s society. However, when looking at society in the Handmaid's Tale, stereotypes are made based on the control of the government. When comparing Huie’s work to the work of Atwood’s, the concept of “othering” is shown through stereotypes and the limits placed on society. For example, because of society, Offred is forced to be a Handmaid. Each character in the book has their own specific role in society which, in turn, creates a social structure. You have Rita and Cora who are Marthas, in charge of cooking and cleaning. You’ve got Serena Joy, who can do what she pleases because she is the Commander’s wife. You’ve also got the Commander himself who is portrayed through stereotypes as the typical strong leader but as a result is not all that he is made to be. There isn't much diversity in the Handmaid's Tale, but there is diversity in America. However, the term is limited when society frowns upon immigrants from Mexico. It might be because of the idea that they are coming here illegally.

Huie uses the Mickey Mouse Disney poster as an important stereotype of the American Dream. Having Mickey Mouse on the poster, portrays him as the meaning of hope, dreaming, and magical belief that a life in America is possible. Atwood shows Offred’s strict society through the concept of “othering” as the alienation of the characters. Huie also presents “othering” through color. The side of the man wearing white signifies hope that change will come because white is a bright color. The other two men are wearing dark colors with stripes. The youngest son seems to being shadowed by the other two. This may symbolize the idea that maybe the future for him isn’t so bright. The father is looking toward the light which means he is anticipating that things will work out for his two sons in America. The stripes on the two shirts are placed horizontally. The horizon is a symbol of hope and freedom. Another way Atwood shows “othering” is through the actions of the characters. For example, Offred having to perform The Ceremony is showing her as “the other woman” from those who are not Handmaids.

• The idea of othering was presented through stereotypes and societal structure in the works of Wing Young Huie and Maragaret Atwood. Together, they do a remarkable job of bring this concept to light.