Visitors
Don't You DARE Label Me!
I constantly hear people complain and speak out against labeling. People do not want to be labeled by others, no matter what that label is. It doesn’t matter if it’s a positive label or a negative label, people are fighting against them. However, when people label themselves, it’s ok.
Why are labels considered to be such a negative thing, even if it’s a positive label?
Think about it, when someone asks you to describe yourself, what do you say? Typically, when we answer that question we start out by saying what we do for a living. We also might answer with saying hobbies we enjoy, or maybe saying we are a parent. We might even answer with stating our heritage. There are many things we say to answer this question and they are ALL labels.
The only time labels are fought against is when another person tries to use one to describe another person. Why does this bother us?
I think this bothers us because it forces us into an “us versus them” type of situation that we weren’t prepared for. It might even make us feel dismissed, like, maybe, we are being told that we are less than. However, this may not have been the intention of the person that “labeled” us at that moment.
What I find incredibly fascinating, is there are so many people that fight so hard against labeling, but then turn right around and take extreme pride in some label they have placed upon themselves. Sometimes, most of the time actually, it’s the EXACT same label! Why does this happen?
Email
Print Article
Favorites
Report Abuse
User Comments
 |
|
 |
Labels, whether used by or about, are comparable to mini-prison cells--the only purpose is to confine us within someone else's line of thought. African - American, Black; what's wrong with just American? Senior-citizen, elder, old guy; whats wrong with just man or person? Hetero, homo, bi, trans; again, what's wrong with just being a person? Who gains from labels? But, many have much to lose ! |
 |
Thank you so much for your thoughts on this. I love to hear what others have to say about things like this. A lot of people gain from certain labels, but on the flip, there are people that also lose from labels. It's a huge topic and I don't believe there are any easy answers. I think the important thing is to realize that although someone may place a label on themselves, or even if we place a label on someone, we need to remember that we are all individuals. Everyone should be respected for their character. WHO are they, not WHAT are they. |
|
I appreciate your input on this. You bring up incredibly valide points. Nothing is ever black and white. There are far too many variables in situations such as this. Thank you! :) I might post a little bit more on this when I have a bit more time.
|