Le Grande Autre

One of the most predominant focuses of critical race theory is the idea of the “Other”, both in literature and in human interaction. Greatly similar to the concept of the “unknown”, it examines initial interactions between races that are unfamiliar to each other, both on an individual and collective scale.

CRT proposes that there are two basic ways to deal with an encounter with the Other (Bonnycastle, 2007):

• Stick with one's own experience, and be relatively uninfluenced

As readers, this is the first and most common response for many, depending on the literature. If readers find it hard to imagine having anything in common with the Other, it is easier for most to simply stick to their own experiences. Of course, this is also true in reality. This lack of ability to connect often results in distancing oneself from the Other, which is called "othering". Not only is it a process of distancing, but also a way of identifying oneself with relation to what the Other is, and oneself is not. It is the enforcement of “us” and “them”, by characterizing the Other as non-normative, and making ones own cultural or ethnic group the “norm” - pure, clean, and neutral (Shapiro, 2008). Not only does this have dire consequences in manifestations of racism, but it also results in a fragile identity for the entity doing the othering. As they are basing their identity only on what they are not, and priding themselves on being removed and different from the Other, when faced with similarities between oneself and the Other, this identity can be quick to crumble (Ulrich, 2004).

• Develop a response that mixes elements of oneself with elements of the Other

This is said to be the most common of responses. Most people simply cannot be unaffected by encountering the Other. This response is often referred to as hybridization, but many warn of the dangers that can be involved with this sort of “melting pot” way of thinking. Often, this hybridization results in the Other or the non-dominant culture being assimilated into the dominant culture, rather than blending the two. Unfortunately, this denies individuals of their racial or ethnic experiences, and deny them as racial or cultural beings. Similarly, it can manifest in taking a 'colour-blind' approach, which denies the same senses of identity.