The podcast is a response to contemporary media representations of people who are treated as less than human due to being seen as outsiders to mainstream society. A recent comment by an Australian politician that ‘there are no good Muslims’ is indicative of an us-versus-them dangerous dichotomy. The language that is full of untruths and unfounded generalisations is a key step in social processes of dehumanization marginalisation.

I explore my own stranger within as a way of showing how I have to grapple with not accepting aspects of myself. This can make me more reactive and less respectful of people who are strange to me. I cross link this to cultural/political commentaries from several leaders who speak from different religious and political stances. These leaders provide a vital moral boundary to vitriolic and harmful political and other public statements.

For example, Stan Grant who is a First Nation social commentator and practicing Christian writes that we need to heed the way we talk about human beings. Derogatory language can position people as things/ objects, somehow not fully human and thereby not deserving of respect, protection and human rights.

By welcoming strangers into Australian society – migrants, refugees and asylum seekers - we can provide an active resistance against fear, misinformation, self-centredness and prejudices such Xenophobia. I suggest that recognising and accepting the stranger within is one way to become more compassionate towards other people who embody that stranger in society.

Your view on this topic is welcome and in closing, I wish to acknowledge anyone who feels they are treated disrespectfully because they are a stranger.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelovetheorist.substack.com