What is the Dialectical reversal of otherness?

Answer 1

In the simplest terms, the dialectical reversal of otherness is an inclusion that is also an exclusion. Often, it is an attempt to include the Other in a circle of respect, but what gets included in a reductive projection of the Self.

For example, the Separate but Equal policy of Jim Crow Segregation. The attempt at equality is an inclusion, but the separation is an exclusion.


In Art History, western interest in "Primitivism" is another example. Turn of the Century Europeans were inspired by African art (inclusion), but only because they felt Africa had no history, making their culture closer or a pure, uncorrupted source of human vitality.


George Orwell's Animal Farm, where "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" is another great example.


The point of the Dialectical Reversal of Otherness is to remind us that attempts at inclusion are not easy, that respecting difference is elusive and unstable, and that attempts to liberate the human soul are corruptible.

Answer 2

The Dialectical reversal of otherness refers to the process of challenging and overturning traditional hierarchical structures that create divisions between individuals or groups based on differences in power, privilege, or identity. This process involves recognizing and valuing the perspectives, experiences, and contributions of marginalized or oppressed groups, ultimately leading to greater equity, inclusivity, and social transformation.