Alrighty, it's late and I need to sleep or I'll die tomorrow. I would like to cash in one free-be for the 9/28 blog post.

Wing Young Huie's

We are the Other - David and Lou, South Minneapolis, MN (2012)








Initially, what is seen are two men who appear to be friends, sitting near each other. The house likely belongs to one of the two. The scene is very neutral; they are relaxing and having a smoke. 

When you look deeper into the photo, the scene changes. The men still appear to be friends, however, their social status enters the playing field. The white man is dressed down compared to his African American fellow, and he is also the only visible smoker in the photo. Wife beaters, baggy basketball shorts, and smoking are usually stereotypical characteristics of lower class African Americans. On the right, the man is dressed up compared to his white acquaintance. A collared shirt, nicer glasses, a clean shave, and what a appears to be a lack of cigarette in his hand. Not only is his he prone to a healthier lifestyle, but he seems to have better taste in appearance. A trait, unfortunately, not associated with lower class African Americans. I only say lower class because this is South Minneapolis, which could easily be considered the ghetto, or the hood. The seating positions of the two men are important here as well. The white male is seated facing away from the house, which could imply that it is not his property. Most of his body is outside the porch area, hinting that he is not as comfortable as his friend sitting mostly inside the property. He is also facing the house, which, added to his higher standard of living, would give away that he is likely the owner. Taking a step back, we see two men in social situations that society does not commonly prescribe. This mixing of social roles could be the reason the men were brought together in the first place. The one thing they have in common, is being different. 

Not only is othering present in Huie's title of the photograph, but  in the image as well. The switching of social, and racial identities of the men in the picture fit perfect with the title. Each of these men is the other's racial stereotype. They stand out in their environment; the lower class region of the twin cities. In The Handmaid's Tale Atwood alienates those who do not meet the prescribed abilities from society (Gilead). For example: Women who cannot conceive a child will most likely be labeled an unwoman. The justification being that the standard for women is to be fertile. The use of labeling is also used in our society as well. One might say that the two men in the photo act black or act white because they haven't fulfilled the social, and racial roles prescribed to them. Although they are technically alienated, this bending of racial roles does not make them shunned by society. The tweaking of racial stereotypes is very acceptable as opposed to gender, or sexual variations, in which people become outcasts. What Huie and Atwood have in common in their works is their portrayal of societal labeling. Atwood's usage is more direct, where Huie's is implied. Atwood's labeling is also taken to an extreme, where those who are alienated are punished. They are not only labeled as outcasts (unwomen), but are outcast-ed; sent to die after a short life in work camps.