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Shelby Johnson
Professor Maenhardt
English 1050
September 21, 2016
Apart from The Crowd
We live in a society in which people are segregated and categorized in every way
imaginable. From religious factions to gender wage gaps, there is a lack of equality in a world
that is constantly demanding for it to be given. Classification and separation are not a new
concept; people have distanced themselves and looked down on others since the times of the
bible. While some separate by choice, the majority are defined by force. Looking from a 21st
century stand point, it is easy to look back and see the so called othering that has occurred
throughout history. The expression, Those who do not learn from the past are destined to repeat
it is one that many people are familiar with. Looking back over the centuries, do we recognize
the separation and rift we have created between cultures, or do we set ourselves apart from our
predecessors and claim to have reached equality?
It is my belief that othering still occurs today. While awareness of minority groups and
cultures have grown, the overall consensus is still majority rules. Political correctness and a
movement for change have led to hopeful promises, but separation by class seems to be a folly of
human nature. By glancing at the world around us, you see othering occurring on a day to day
and often very intimate level. There is the othering that takes place at school from the jocks
against the smart kids, or the separation in real estate defining what kind of person you must be
or how much money you make from only your postal code.

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Throughout this essay, various examples of othering will be discussed. Some will be
more current than others, but the dynamics of othering will be the same. Until we can stop
classifying ourselves on a smaller level, we will never be able to reach the goal of global unity.
One of the most commonly recognized others is that of the white people against those of
different color. Historically, many white people have seen themselves as superior or set apart
from those who wear a different skin. This superiority complex has led to slavery, racism and
discrimination. In her essay, Indians: Textualism, Morality, and the Problem of History, author
Jane Tompkins points out that at even eight-years old, she was aware of things that early Native
Americans were not and how this led to feelings of superiority:
Over and over we were told the story of how Peter Miniut had bought Manhattan
Island from the Indians for twenty-four dollars worth of glass beads. And it was a story we
didnt mind hearing because it gave us the rare pleasure of having someone to feel superior to,
since the poor Indians had not known (as we eight-year olds did) how valuable a piece of
property Manhattan Island would become. (440)
She goes on to talk about how her understanding of the Indians was like many others. A,
Narcissistic (fantasy) of freedom and adventure (that)doesnt have much to do with actual
Indians. (440) This classic example is one that as Americans, we are very familiar with: The
Pilgrims and the Indians. The Settlers and the Natives. Us against Them. Over time, the
Cowboy and Indian mentality has slowly diminished as schools replace their Indian Chief or
warrior mascots with more culture sensitive and acceptable representations that signify
recognizing Native Americans as human beings and not just a cultural icon.
One man that was well aware of the othering occurring during his time was Frederick
Douglass. Born a slave in 1817, Douglass found his way to freedom and became a prominent

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activist and speaker against slavery. Given the opportunity to speak at a fourth of July
celebration, Douglass wasted no words as he laid out the clear segregation between people as he
mentioned with irony the fact that he, a black man, would be addressing a crowd of people
gathered in celebration of freedom. Fellow-citizens, pardon me.to ask, why am I called upon
to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence?
(465)
By thus disassociating himself and his people from the national celebration, he reminds
his audience that there is a very strong wall of Us against Them occurring in the midst of a
country that should be united in the festivity of its independence. A comment that Michelle
Wright gave in week three summarizes Douglasss feelings towards the matter as she describes
Douglass as stating that while he respects the Founding Fathers and writers of the Declaration of
Independence, the nation is still young and needs improvement. This mentality is still relevant
today not only on a national, but global scale as we try to work our way towards world peace and
cultural acceptance.
America has always been known as the land of freedom and opportunity. In the early 20th
century, people flocked to the United States by the thousands. A nation built on immigrants, we
were first accepting. But as, Mary Gordon pointed out, Asthe economy worsened, eugenics
became both scientifically respectable and popular, and World War I made American xenophobia
rooted in fact. (433). New standards were set and people became selective as to who could be
allowed entrance. The once welcoming shores of Ellis Island became a fearful sight as
passengers waited in nervous anticipation for news of their fate. Like cattle, they were herded,
tested and subjected to embarrassing procedures all because they were others.

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Intelligence tests were biased against all non-English speaking persons, and medical
examinations became increasingly strict. immigrants suspected of some physical disability had
initials chalked on their coats. (433-434)
Despite Americas best intentions, our welcoming reputation has risen, fallen and risen
again as we faced the Blacks Rights Movement of the 60s and 70s, the Black Lives Matter
campaign that is going on today and the global refugee crisis that is impacting countries
worldwide. While history has shown that we have struggled to overcome our struggles by
embracing our differences, change is still possible. It will take more than hope, desire and a few
speeches. Before he was elected, then Senator Obama gave a speech entitled, A More Perfect
Union. Noting the numerous cultural clashes occurring in America, he declares that the more
perfect union strived for in the times of the Founding Fathers will not be achieved so long as
inequality exists. (476-483). He states:
A (land) that promised its people liberty, and justice, and a union that could be and
should be perfected over time. And. yet (this) would not be enough to deliver slaves from
bondage, or provide men and woman of every colortheir full obligations as citizens of the
United States. What would be needed were Americanswilling to do their part-through protests
and struggleto narrow that gap between the promise of our ideals and the reality of their time.
(476).
His speech inspired hope in the original American dream and gave hope to many smaller
voices. Obamas 2008 campaign did much to stir the opinions of the American people as he was
the first black man to ever successfully run for president. Like any campaign, there were
differences in opinions, politics and preferences, but having an African American run for
president added a new dimension to the election. Smaller minority groups inspired by Obamas

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campaign raised their voices as America witnessed one of the largest unifying moments of
minority and majority bodies. Encouraged by a minority figure running for office, many small
groups of people were able to reach new levels of acceptance.
Rhetorical Analysis
As referenced earlier, Fredrick Douglass was a man who did much in ways of voicing the
injustice of his people. His speech, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Could not have been
given in a more apropos setting. As Americans everywhere embraced their freedom, he reminds
the people that there are people in the Nation that do not yet share that same freedom. From a
literary standpoint, the timing of his speech was impeccable. In undeniable irony, he reminds his
listeners that this day of freedom is not a day for everyone. Only two years prior to his speech,
blacks were denied several basic rights including the right to Habeas Corpus. Not wanting to
appear overbearing, he uses several rhetorical techniques to win the hearts of his audience. As he
begins, he humbly talks of his apprehension in speaking to such a crowd in a demonstration of
Ethos:
Mr. President, Friends and Fellow Citizens: He who could address this audience without
a quailing sensation, has stronger nerves than I have. I do not remember ever to have appeared as
a speaker before any assembly more shrinkingly, nor with greater distrust of my ability, than I do
this day. (460.)
Reminding them that he is just a man, he continues to weave Ethos throughout his speech
as he speaks of their Christian values and their forefathers beliefs. With imagery, he describes
the life of a slave and the hardships his people endure. The Pathos of his speech is hauntingly
clear as you hear the anguish in his voice:

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The sunlight that has brought life and healing to you has brought stripes and death to
me. This Fourth (of) July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in
fetters andcall upon him to join in your joyous anthems, (is) inhumane mockery and
sacrilegious irony. (465).
The words he delivered that day were legendary and unforgettable. Considered one of the
greatest speeches in American history, Fredrick Douglass spoke for the minority and won the
hearts of many in the majority. Even years later, his proneness in rhetoric and word has inspired
many to take up the pen in defense of their cause. While history has slowly turned in favor of
remembering the little guys, there will always be those that oppose it. As then Senator Obama
said in reference to the Declaration of Independence, The document . was eventually signed,
but ultimately unfinished. (476). While was speaking of a document, the deeper meaning is
meant for the hearts of humanity. It is up to us, the people of todays world, to continue to
acknowledge those that may have a voice, and by uniting our voices together, we can separate
the gap of minority and majority and all live as one.

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Works Cited

Douglass, Frederick. What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? 465.

Douglass, Frederick. What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? 460.
Gordon, Mary. Moran Than Just a Shrine. 433.
Gordon, Mary. Moran Than Just a Shrine. 433-434.
Obama, Barack. A More Perfect Union. 476-483.
Obama, Barack. A More Perfect Union. 476.
Tompkins, Jane. Indians: Textualism, Morality, and the Problem of History. 440.