H. Mkhize 46155244

My recent exposure to the study of Social Anthropology changed the way I view the world. As humans we always look for the familiar every where we go in a world that is forever changing. This causes us to rationalize our encounters and the environment to preserve our state of knowing. This is haw the concept of othering comes into effect.

I recently had a conversation with one of my old friend and I shared my interest in the faculty of humanities. The reaction I received was unexpected, to my surprise they had already assumed I was studying in the field of engineering, because I studied science in high school.

They had already made an assumption based on our shared experiences and knowledge. They even went on to conclude that there is no science in the faculty of humanities. This is the remark of someone who has yet to explore and enjoys the comfort of knowing. These are some of the dangers of a single sided story. 

I felt stereotyped against because they maid it sound like I'm supposed to be in a field that embodies science in its numerical and visible aspect like in the faculty of engineering or the faculty of medicine. Which are both well known and widely accepted as fields of science. 

Misinformation leads to lack of understanding due to lack of adequate understanding. This leads to the creation of stereotypes, judging whole communities based on what was perceived as reality. The sense of othering is then reinforced.