When you encounter someone, whether you know them or not, you notice things about them, and you aren't always aware of everything you notice. The things we notice about other people help us decide how to behave around them and what we might expect from them. Everybody has differences. We allow others to have a certain amount of differences from ourselves before we consider them outsiders. The case-by-case process by which we set that difference threshold is largely subconscious most of the time. We can other people without knowing we're doing it. We can be unaware that we're rejecting someone. Identifying outsiders is as important to humans as avoiding mortal peril, and it's often just as automatic. You may not know who you're othering. Being around a certain person could make you feel stress that you aren't even aware of. The only way to begin to be aware is to be totally honest and totally attentive. Take your time and think about ...
My name is Ryan. I'm a published author, a musician, and a cartoonist, and I'm autistic. My therapist suggested that I write a book about living with an autism spectrum disorder. I decided to try a blog first. I try to be clear and succinct in describing my experiences. I don't feel like I have special insight, but maybe this will help some people.