Countering "the othering" for our common humanity
Justice & Advocacy
“Our common humanity, which has its basis in us all being made in the image and likeness of God, provides the perfect antidote to the way of othering that seeks to diminish the other,” says The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt
She had too much so with a smile you
took some.
Of everything she had you had
Absolutely nothing, so you took some.
At first, just a little.
Still she had so much she made you feel
Your vacuum, which nature abhorred,
So you took your fill, for nature’s sake.
Because her great luck made you feel unlucky
You had redressed the balance, which meant
Now you had some too, for yourself.
As seemed only fair. Still her ambition
Claimed the natural right to screw you up
Like a crossed out page, lossed into a basket.
Somebody, on behalf of the gods,
Had to correct that hubris.
A little touch of hatred steadied the nerves.
Everything she had won, the happiness of it,
You collected
As your compensation
For having lost. Which left her absolutely
Nothing. Even her life was
Trapped in the heap you took. She had nothing.
Too late you saw what had happened.
It made no difference that she was dead.
Now that you had all she had ever had
You had much too much.
Only you
Saw her smile, as she took some.
At first, just a little.
Ted Hughes, “The Other”
Countries such as the USA and Australia are what they are because of immigration.
In our best moments we celebrate our diversity and acknowledge that the rich tapestry of humanity that has been drawn into our life by perceived opportunity, and by values such as freedom, equity, have made us into a more inclusive, tolerant, richly diverse and innovative country.
Many who came here, not only as immigrants, but as refugees seeking protection from oppression and violence, have made country-transforming, even world-transforming contributions, to our community and economy. Such folk are often driven to give “above and beyond” by a deep sense of gratitude.
At such times the “other” becomes part of “us” and we all flourish more fully.
From time-to-time, however, we find ourselves coming face-to-face with the ugly underbelly of our culture as it rises up to promote the idea that the “other” is a threat or is competing unfairly for limited resources.
In the USA we see that dynamic at play as non-white immigrants with legitimate rights to live in the USA are being gathered up and deported. The driving rhetoric is blaming them for a long list of social ills, such as drug supply, street crime and unemployment.
In the town of my birth one of the standard stories used to justify systemic and systematic racism suggested that Aboriginal people got massive handouts and free cars from the government. The fact that, at best — most walked — the first nations people had 20-year-old, unreliable cars, did nothing to discredit the convenient lie behind the storytelling.
Sadly, in the wake of the failure of the Voice referendum, we have seen a resurgence in attacks on First Nations people and the winding back of the simple social protocols that honour them without doing any harm to anyone else.
Ted Hughes’ poem, “The Other”, reminds us that once such dynamics start to take hold of our sense of “the other”, the resulting (unfounded) sense of envy and jealousy will not be sated until the “other” has been completely diminished.
Fortunately, we have good news stories that not only counter the negative ways of “othering” but also encourage us to celebrate the ways that, at our best, we can create welcoming and dynamic communities.
One such good news story is found in the way that the community of Biloela not only embraced the Nadesalingam family but also fought the government’s cruelty as it tried to dislocate them.
Other good news stories are found in the work of the 70 groups that across our nation make up Rural Australians for Refugees.
This week is Refugee Week. The 2025 Theme is “Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community”.
The Refugee Council of Australia invites us to use this week to:
“…reflect on the vital role community plays in all our lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, language, disability, sexuality and age.
The journey towards freedom represents the challenging path that many refugees take, escaping oppression and uncertainty for safety in a new place.
In these new spaces, community is more than just a physical place or a group of people; community is a lifeline. It offers refugees safety, belonging, and the strength to rebuild. Diverse communities bring people together, showing that our differences make us stronger, more united, and capable of facing challenges.
Community is where people find the strength to solve problems together, where voices are amplified, and where aspirations find direction and support. It’s a space where everyone can feel safe, valued, and empowered to pursue their dreams without fear or judgment.
This Refugee Week, we celebrate the inclusive communities across Australia that open their arms to those seeking refuge, providing platforms for connection and a sense of belonging.”
Our common humanity, which has its basis in us all being made in the image and likeness of God, provides the perfect antidote to the way of othering that seeks to diminish the other. I pray that that image of humanity may inform and soften those who are driving the movements that would have us go in a more destructive direction.
First Published in “The Precinct eNews” on 15 June 2025.
Editor’s note: Refugee Week 2025 is being commemorated between Sunday 15 and Saturday 21 June. The theme for Refugee Week this year is “Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community”. Visit the Refugee Council of Australia website for more information; teacher and general resources; design resources and to register your own events.
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