Assignment Information
Over the course of the semester, you will be discussing the power that language and perception have on people struggling with the isolation that often occurs when they are classified as “outsiders.” There are many reasons that people come to be perceived as other; other is contextually determined. Consider the situation of a person who speaks a different language in a monolingual community, a person who disrupts conventionally agreed upon gender roles, or a person stricken by a misunderstood illness. All of these people are perceived as different and run the risk of being targeted and mistreated by their larger community. Although it could, mistreatment doesn’t always mean violence; maybe it’s silence. We refuse to see them or hear them because doing so requires taking a stance that might be unpopular.
We’ve all been there and done that. We’ve been the kid in class that got bullied, the bully, or the kid that watched it happen. We’ve all been judged unfairly and done the same to others. We’ve all experienced the feeling that something about us just isn’t right; perhaps because it’s not what we see being praised by people around us.
So what do we do? It depends. Sometimes we hide, sometimes we attack, and sometimes we watch. None of those actions or lack thereof, helps vulnerable people, and they disadvantage our own growth as human beings. Growth takes effort and it’s often painful, but it’s essential. If you want to be a good doctor, you have to be willing to look past perceived differences toward an individual’s humanity and worth.
For your first essay, tell me an “outsider” story. The “outsider” could be you, it could be a classmate or family member; maybe you witnessed an “outsider” story, or maybe you joined with a group against an “outsider.” Like I said before, we’ve all been there and done that. So be as honest as you can. Understanding how you felt in a situation, or why you acted the way you did, is inextricably linked to your capacity to treat others fairly and well.
The way that you tell the story is your choice. Use the language that’s natural for your story. Focus on remembering and describing the language you used or heard when the narrative was happening. What are the words you used to harm or the words that were used to harm you?
This story will be peer-reviewed and discussed in the class so push your limits, but make sure you tell a story that you’re comfortable sharing.
Examples
I have uploaded example outsider narratives written by FIQWS students to the folder for this assignment on Google Drive.
Collaborative Rubric
We will establish the requirements for the assignment together in class, using this rubric.
Due Dates
| First Draft: Monday 9/4 (not a class day) | Peer Review: Tuesday 9/5 | Final Draft: Wednesday 9/13 |
