M-13 - I Hate Labels

[DragonslayerX]

Ok, i'm sure this will be locked, because it is more of a rant than a discussion topic, but i would still like your input on this.

i am just really sick of people "labeling" other people things like, posers, preps, wiggers, goths, all of these things. and even worse ones like, n*****s, gays, and such. all it does when you label someone is to make yourself look ignorant.

this started because, i was reading a post in here that talked about someone being a poser because they liked rap AND rock music. i am an avid fan of both, but i dont see myself "posing" as something. i have also been called a wigger for my choice of music, and it pisses me off to no end. i see nothing wrong with exploring other types of music. remember, rock music was created by white artists using black culture in their music. and today, a lot of rap and rock are sort of merging. for example, eminem uses aerosmith's sing for the moment on his newest CD. nsync's dirty pop was basically a rap song. then you have bands like Limp bizkit, and kid rock, who thrive on mixing rap with rock.

labels are the root of prejustices. someone is treated differently because they are a "***", or are "preps", or "n*****s". it is rediculous.

please, if i am wrong in any of this, then let me know.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No, I agree. Labels are one of my pet peeves too, because a label defines that person, even though it may only partly fit them. That is true whether it is a label you give yourself, or one others give you. That is why I will claim only two labels: American and Christian. If people want to assign me other labels, that's their perogative, but I won't claim any others, because there aren't any others that I entirely fit.

[Gothmog]

But why do labels exist? Don't we all wear labels to identify each other? Our cloeths, our hair, the way we talk and act. They are all labels.

Also, here's a strange fact from out great world of political corectness. You mentioned two nables, "ni***r" and "gay." I hear many rappers use the first word. It's pretty much a common word in Hip-hop. And "gay" obviously doesn't bother gay people, nor does "queer." Those words are embraced by organiztions that represent that section of the populace. So are these words made bad by the inflection of th voice? The person speaking them? If so, it's a very nasty slope to be on when one person can say a word and another cannot. True?

[Ash_Key]

I dunno why people get offended when people said 'That's so gay!' etc... If people said *****, does your dog *female, of course* get offended?:p

[Ash_Key]

The '*****' is 'b!tch' actually..

[Benzo]

I think people label because they need to put people in a category to get the impression that they know who they are. That way they are simplyfing human beings so much that it can bring up some goods out of it, but the labellers feel safe because they 'know' what they have in front of them. I can understand that many teenagers do that because it is a period when everyone is looking for his/her real identity and labeling is a kind of milestone, or categories to like or dislike. What I don't accept is adults labeling, it shows a narrow mind and some ignorance about how complex every human is, it leads to prejudice then intolerance.

[Cat]

Some people need to discover that, though they may pride themselves on being a can of beans, not all of us need to have labels to show people what we contain inside. I'm not my clothes, the ring on my finger, the colour of my hair. Nor am I my skin or the facial features I happen to have (which, incidentally, aren't remotely interesting). Hey, I might wear myself inside-out but at least I'm no 'musical fruit'. Toot!

Uh... those weren't the most inspiring words ever.

[Alex]

Labels can be damaging. People are complex, no person can be categorized in such broad groups. But, it's not realistic to think that labels can be abolished. It is a natural human tendency to label someone they don't know very well. Actually, I embrace my label. I'm geeky, and I take pride in it. No one can hurt me by calling me a geek now. :)

[Benzo]

You,re right Alex, it is in our nature *sigh* but the best way to go through is yours, just accept the labels people stick to you and suddenly those labels have a lot less power on you. ,They slip on your back like rain on Ducks' back' as we say in French.

[AvidSkyRise]

I completely detest labels, I think you are who you are and no one should have to label you as something. I also think that when you say someone is something they become it. I think it's pathetic how people do this and it's really sad

[Weatherby]

I hate labels but I might have it backwards since I assume others are labelling myself and despising them for it. My mother always says people judge you on your appearance and as she always complains about my clothes...

I'm a hypocrite though because I label every 20-something white guy in my town as a frat boy. I live in a college town so I'm on my guard.
I'm more likely to talk to a kid wearing a smith tshirt than a sweater-vest, khaki-wearing boy.

"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation" - Oscar Wilde

[Tiberius]

Originally posted by Gothmog
But why do labels exist? Don't we all wear labels to identify each other? Our cloeths, our hair, the way we talk and act. They are all labels.


Labels exist because we, as Humans, have a truly unique desire to categorize things. We see it all the time, that's a lane, not a street. it's a hill, not a mountain. it's a fruit not a vegie.

We categorize because we have a need to know where everything goes, whether a building should be placed in the schools or churches list in the street directory. We even extend that to categorizing people, hence the generalizations such as that's a woman, or that's a black man. If you asked me to describe someone, I would use a series of categorizations. Describe Harry potter? okay, Male category, Galasses category, messy hair category, teenage category, scar shaped like lightening category. We can use categories to distinguish different objects from each other.

But anyone who knows Harry won't use physical categories. Ask Ron. Loyal category, brave category, stubborn category and so on. But we use categories to place things into our larger perspective on life. Sometimes we place people or objects into categories without having the full picture. Think back to when you read PS for the first time. How many decided Snape = working for Voldemort category? And weren't we wrong?

[Picko]

Well I come from a fairly unique situation. I went to a school where the only way to get in was to excel in this entrance exam. So basically everyone at my school was extremely bright. Because the school took people on the basis of there exam results we had people that didn't come from any central location but people from all around the city. Some students were poor, some were rich and there was many different nationalities, races and beliefs that made up this school.

I attended this school for four years, it is an all boys school and no once within that time was there any fights. The school prided itself on encouraging us to be ourselves and respect each others individualality. This worked. Nobody cared that they were different from someone else and no-one cared what made them different in the first place. That said there was a lot of labelling, however the school was such that this never caused any friction between students. Australians were referred to as "skips", Indians as "curries", Asians were commonly called "Shifty *******s" and the schools black population referred to themselves and others referred to them as "n******".

I always found it interesting that whilst the outside world bickered over the labelling of people my school had labelling and yet we all existed individually and in perfect harmony. Strange but true.

But seriously labelling is natural for people. Playing on a computer you become a "nerd", Harry Potter is "kiddy", LOTR's is "interlectual", muslims are "evil" and what not. None of these are of course true but all are used at some time and all of them would have been used on this forum to describe people, there principles and there opinions. Labelling will always exist but it is how you handle it that can change, although of course as PC increases labelling has clearly changed.

[[VTN]]

It's been said before on this topic, but it's really true: to label things is human nature. Everybody categorizes other people, because they are human. Everybody at least once in their life must have labeled somebody as something.

Labels are stupid. You are who you are, and you don't fall into a category like a type of fruit. I can't stop people from labeling other people, and sometimes I'm even guilty of it. But, I try not to label other people, and I try to judge them on the caliber of their character, instead of what kind of clique they hang with. To me, that's a start, and I could only imagine what would happen if everybody else in the world did the same as me...

[Remus Lupin]

Oh i don't like lables either! Especially when you don't fin into any of them. I'm sort of like one of those little single celled things that constantly changes shape, Aomeba I think they're called. Becuse i can fit into any catagory, I'm like a chemilion too! And people at my school are really into the whole labe thing, and they say if you hang out with one group you can't hang out with another (they basically tell me to make up my mind) and it's annoying cuase i like everyone! =^_^=

[DragonslayerX]

OK, I have grown since I posted this (LOL), so I must now amend it. It is not so much the act of labelling someone that bothers me, and strikes me as ignorant, it's the act of judging people on a label, not on anything real about that person. For example, someone who decides to beat up a black because he is black, is completely ignorant. If you decide to hate someone simply because they wear t-shirts instead of sweaters, is ignorant. I hope this makes sense.

[go_anna40]

I don't like labelling (this makes me sound like a hypocrite). I admit, I do label people. But it's all a joke, my friends don't take it seriously, thank goodness.

But otherwise, labelling is horrible, specially those mean ones.

[Weatherby]

People will always use labels.It helps them idenify who they'd like to get to know or avoid.
Critics use it to praise or put down bands.
I hate the labels "emo" and "goth" because my favourite bands are labelled this and I can't stand either 'scene'.
I'm not part of any scene or group.
I can't relate to 99 percent of humanity.
I'll shun anyone regardless of clothes or music.
Even if they dress like me or are at the same concert, etc.

Get anyone into a group and they are bound to be obnoxious as hell.
Any scene or whatever.
Though I'd love to travel back in time and be a 24 hour party person! yeah cheers man.

[ron_33]

Look Gothmog, you can't jump to the conclusion that black people may call each other n*****s, that it's OK to call them that. There is a lot of people at my school who think that it's OK to say that word because some black people use it. It is offensive, no question.

[nimbus2006]

I think that nothing is as dangerous as labelling yourself. I believe I first learned this when Sam called Gollum a sneak in the return of the king.
If you label yourself, you limit what you can become. If you label yourself a certain clique, or type of person... you most likely will stay that way because that is what is set in your own mind.
And also... those people who have done bad things and say... I'm such a bad person. It's just like someone else telling you, except worse because now you believe it. It can lead to serious mental damage or distress.

After all... "You are who you choose to be"
^Albus Dumbledore

[Inkwolf]

Hear, hear, Nimbus!

I'm always disgusted at people who label themselves and limit their choices. Like the people who decide, 'I'm an intellectual, so I can't possibly enjoy television shows...except the educational ones.' Or, 'I'm a punker, so I hate all country music' or 'I'm a NORMAL person, so you won't catch me listening to classical music or going to the snobby opera' or whatever.

It's sad and frustrating to see people consciously deciding to cut themselves off from experiencing something they might actually enjoy, if they came to it open-minded--and feeling SMUG about it.

[ladylighter]

the only consistent label that has been applied to me is "immature". while i generally concede to it, in no way do i limit myself to acting like i am 4 years old. indeed, sometimes i even reach 6. :stuckin: but i really do try to be open-minded about everything, and not to limit myself just because others expect less of me.

[Nick]

Labelling is one of our higher brain functions. It allows us to categorise things into distinct groups. For example, most people here are capable of recognising things called "light bulbs", even if they are of a type that they have never seen before, because they all have the similar properties. Lightbulbs are made of an empty sphere of possibly tinted glass, and they contain a mettalic element. At the bottom of the sphere, there's a metal socket-lick device. When you plug it into a "light bulb socket", light comes out.
Me point is that if humans couldn't label, every single new object would be a new experience, even if it a replica of a simiar object. And this would impede learning.

When we are talking about objects, "labelling", also known as abstraction, is fine. The system works well; so well, in fact, that you don't notice it working at all. It's when you start labelling people with purely abstract labels that problems start arising.

For example, could you tell me what a "normal" person is? I am certain that even if you could give me a definition, someone else would come along and give me a completely different one. It gets especially ridiculous when abstract labels are applied to abstract concepts. For example, "all <insert race here> are evil". Such arguments are completely irrational and do not deserve attention.

The other problem with abstraction is that people make the mistake of assuming that people are automatically something simply because they have a few things in common with that something. It's simple:

"You post on Internet message boards? Man, you're a loser."

Ever heard this? A classic example of faulty logic. Can be disproven quite easily. Let's look at it another way.

1. Losers post on Internet message boards.
2. You post on Internet message boards.
3. You are a loser.

Makes sense, right? Wrong. Look at this second example.

1. All cats have fur.
2. My dog has fur.
3. My dog is a cat.

Does that make sense?

I have much more to say on the subject, but my fingers are starting to hurt. I'll be back .. please, don't label me while I'm away.

[dog star]

Good post, CaptainNick.

Just to add something to the discussion on labeling people... Labels can also lead to something called a "self-fulfilling prophecy." For instance, let's say a person just likes to wear black all the time, but they aren't a goth. (I know there is more to this subculture than just wearing black, but bear with me for the sake of example... ;)) However, because they wear black, some people may come to view them as a goth, and thus, label them as such. Gradually, this person talks to other people who also begin to label our dear lover of black as a goth. Word gets back to him or her...and, inevitably, they will eventually start to buy into the "goth" thing as well. Regardless of whether they actually identified as a goth in the first place, they will begin to subconsciously feel as if they have nothing else left to lose, so why not just live up to the rumors. If people already think of him/her as a goth, what's the harm if he or she actually *becomes* one? Eventually, that person does become whatever he or she was labeled as, and begins to identify with that group or subculture.

I know it might sound silly, but it's true, and it really does happen in society. It tends to be prominent among behaviors that are considered "deviant" to a society, such as being a homosexual, a criminal, mentally ill, etc. (Deviance is defined as anything that goes against the "norm," the norm being rules or guidelines that govern peoples' behavior. Norms are specific to individual societies.)

So, the next time you label someone...think of the potential consequences of your label. It just might go deeper than you think.

Edit: Here is an short article that provides another definition for the self-fulfilling prophecy...
http://www.webref.org/sociology/s/self-fulfilling_prophecy.htm

[philip]

Whether or not I hate a label depends on the generalization behind the label.

[DogStar87]

I've got to agree with the person who started this thread on the topic. People are people, and inside we're all the same. It would be nice if we could break down the walls of prejudice and judging based on gender, race, religion, sexuality, because it just is of such little significane when you think about it! Yet, it creates so much trouble. :sigh:

[Moonlight]

I think that when you see people around you labeling themselves you think you have to decide to be something or the other aswell. this is especilly hard when you're a teenager and that's when you character starts to take form.
I had this conversation with my freind the other day and at the end I just told her that I'm me, I'm not this or that, just a bit of something or the other which is called 'ME'.
I agree with that it's limiting yourself by putting on a label- but what ever you call yourself you're always some one different whether you like it or not. I do not beleive anyone is 'normal' as the eaning of normal doesn't exist... no two things are the same and so how can a group of things be normal...

[Picko]

Well labelling is simply human nature and labelling does cause many problems. In my opinion there is three major labels which are used to decribe everyone and each causes various problems.

1. Nationality - the country we live in. For instance I'm Australian whilst a majority of the people here are American. In the world today we have situations where people of one nationality will hate another juist because they come from that country. An example would be the Middle Eastern countries and their opinions of America.

2. Race - what race a person is, I'm no expert but I believe I'm anglo-saxion but race is of course the core of racism which is a major problem in society and has been probably since the dawn of time. An example being "white" people thinking "black" people are inferior and making them slaves, or Hitler "Jewish" opinions in WW2.

3. Religion - the human race even has a desire to label our beliefs. Religions run into the thousands. Probably an unneccessary label. Religion is the core behind a lot of the significant actions of hatred throughout history the most recent example being "September 11". On many levels our religious labelling limits the way we live.


So there in my opinion is the three most important forms of labelling, all other forms are less significant IMO. I only consider them more important because everyone is labelled within these, as such they are used to separate people into various groups.

[philip]

Picko, it wasn't that Hitler hated Jews. He just hated anything that wasn't Aryan. In fact, he committed suicide because he thought the Aryan people had failed him.

Wacko, no?

[Picko]

Picko, it wasn't that Hitler hated Jews. He just hated anything that wasn't Aryan. In fact, he committed suicide because he thought the Aryan people had failed him.

Wacko, no?

Very true, unfortunately I have not studied World War 2 for several years and my knowledge - once quite good - has gone down the drain. I couldn't remember the name "Aryan" but yeah in his opinion "Aryan" people were superior to all others.

[Alex]

OK, I just wrote an essay on this subject, and basically stole a lot of your comments. (Stealing from many is research, right?) I thought I'd post it just for kicks. I don't think I actually plagiarized anything, but I might've. So, don't sue me.

We were supposed to write a persuasive essay on fixing a problem in the world today. Feel free to criticize...


Human beings are always apt to categorize the things in their environment. It is a valuable tool; distinguishing plants from animals, hills from mountains, fruits from vegetables, etc. However, this tool can become destructive when we start to categorize people into specific labels. People are all unique, and far too complex to truly fit into any particular category. It is a habit of mankind to label the things, and people, that we do not know well into broad categories, and to impose upon the unknown thing (or person) the generalizations and stereotypes we attribute to that category. If we don't give a deeper look to other people, there is little hope for understanding. Without understanding, there will be prejudice, which will lead to intolerance.

When we first meet a person, we subconsciously start to categorize that person. We notice their gender, race, the clothes they wear, and the way they talk, among many other traits. There is nothing wrong with this, in and of itself. The problem arises when we fail to see past the first impression. It is not healthy to base one's judgement on a person on the way they dress, or on the way they act as seen from afar. It prevents the discovery of what that person is really like. If someone walks in wearing all black, a pierced nose, and purple spiked hair, it is easy to dismiss the person as a freak. But you might be missing out on a wonderful friendship.

Negative stereotypes of any group of people can be damaging. The classic stereotype basing the intelligence of a person on the pigmentation of their hair can not be honestly defended by any rational person. Of course, blonde people are no dumber than the general populace. This stereotype is not really taken seriously by many people, but other stereotypes are damaging. For example, before the Civil Rights movement, it was common belief that African Americans were not as smart as white people. This is certainly not true, but it helped to keep an entire race of people oppressed for hundreds of years. It is not the labels themselves that cause the injustice, it is the broad conclusions we are tempted to make from the limited information we attain.

The only way we can break down the labels that govern our lives is to ignore them. High school is a time to quest for social acceptance, cliques are defined and rarely strayed from. We must break down the barriers of cliques with our greatest weapon; friendliness. Take a chance, strike up a conversation with someone you normally wouldn't, be nice to someone even if they're not like you. You'll find that people are generally good, and you have more in common with that non-comforming punk rocker than you might think.

[tizzy weasley]

i really don't liek the labels either ...but i think we unconciensly(sp) label people. I know i do it and don't think about until after i said it. Does this make sense to you?

[Phoenix Angel]

God i hate labels but i won't go i to my big speech about it just wanted to say their stupid.

[DragonslayerX]

Good essay, Alex. Sums up my feelings on the subject rather nicely.

[Wild Rose]

"I am not a tin of beans-don't give me a label!"
I am what I am. And when I actually find out what I am, i'll be sure to let you know.

@-'-,---------

[WeasleyIsOurKing]

I hate labels. I hate labeling someone because of how the dress or the music they listen to. I like wearing clothes from Aeropostale and Old Navy, so a lot of people consider me a prep, and then they automatically assume that I like all that rap music and pop music and everything, but I don't! I like rock, but if I say that at school, people will think I'm weird for liking rock and dressing like a "prep."

I hate it when you see people online or even at school who go around saying, "Preppies should die!" or "Kill the preps!" I just want to smack them! Okay, so I should die because I dress like a prep. Where is the justice in that? Don't categorize people because of they way they dress or the music they like.

[footballjock]

yah, i cant say i dont label people, but i dont judge someones charecror on it, i hate it when people do that, im in football and wrestling, and very popular at my school, so people think im one of the "jocks" well i dont care if a friend calls me stupid jock cause i know there kidding, its the people that dont even know who i am and see me hanging with my friends with my football shirt on and say, "just some dumb jocks" i do have a story to go with this ok, it started after football practice, were all gittin changed, when some of the marching band kids come in to change for the softmore game their playing at, i see a old friend of mine, and i say hi, well a few band kids i dont even know are giving me glares, as if i was a school bully, which im not, and i havent seen these kids in my life, well i go back and start talkin with my friends on my team, one of them, matt, reconizes a little kid that was in our science class last year and says hay. well, im not shure what happened next, but the same kid that was givin me looks, started talkin trash to Matt. well so matts sayin stuff, and matts soo tall, that the kid stands on the stool, and starts sayin stuff. well after that me matt josh, who also the band people said trash too, and a few other people werer just talkin, and i saw those band kids talkin trash, callin us stupid jocks, and so forth, and they dont even know us. all they see when we are in the locar are a bunch of stupid jocks. labling does suck

[NYCwitch920]

I agree with what Tizzy Weasley said. Sometimes we might unconciously label people. Although, I try to stay away from doing that. In my area, people don't use labels in school as much as other cities. I have a friend who once lived in Texas and said that it was used more there. I don't know if that's exactly true since I've never visited. I don't like labels. I don't think I even fit into any of them. They're just another way of stereotyping someone or discriminating people.

[berlitz]

URGGHH

i hate labeling as i hate grneralisation

All townies are stupid and common.

All skaters are dirty and smell

All labels are derogetory in some way


You wear glasses therefore you must be clever is another generalisation as is, you wear dark makeup therefore you must be a goth


its kinda like urrmm yeah....

not all people who wear certain things act in a certain way. Not all people who come from a certain area are typical of the stereotypes associated with that area....

AHh it makes me so mad!

[Azimuth]

All labels are derogetory in some way

That's a generalisation in itself ;)

Not all. For example, you said it yourself - "You wear glasses therefore you must be clever". That's a compliment, really.

[Tane]

Lables are too expensive for what you get and some of the most prominent sports labels for example use very cheap labour, something I disagree with greatly.

As for labeling people, well that happens all the time and something I live with each day. People see a word or the look of someone and make assumptions based upon there own past experiences whether they know the person or not regardless of whether they have them wrong, it does not matter because they already have a picture of that person in there head. So no matter what you do it will make no difference even if you have evidence to back yourself up, they will still stick to the label. Labels are powerful and can destroy someone in more ways than one, sometimes leading to permanent fears of retribution and victimization and worse things than that. Everyone has more than one label whether they are right or not does not really apply as it is up to society and something out of your control.

[hesdead-dealwithit]

I don't hate labels - they're very useful. There's a reason why stereotypes become stereotypes: they have a large element of truth. Often you must make a large decision quickly, and labels are, plain and simple, more practical than the alternative.

If you go to Mexico, it's a good idea to label the inhabitants as non-English speakers - assuming that they will speak your language is both arrogant and harmful to yourself. If you're shopping for groceries, it's a good idea to label out-of-season fruit as poor quality. If you have repeated cuts on your arm, you're probably depressed and probably need help. And on and on.

[Azimuth]

There's a reason why stereotypes become stereotypes: they have a large element of truth.

I'm sorry, but that's rubbish:

All skaters are dirty and smell

you wear dark makeup therefore you must be a goth

Are those stereotypes true? No, they are not. They have no truth in them whatsoever. It's like Nick said:

1. Losers post on Internet message boards.
2. You post on Internet message boards.
3. You are a loser.

Makes sense, right? Wrong. Look at this second example.

1. All cats have fur.
2. My dog has fur.
3. My dog is a cat.



Often you must make a large decision quickly, and labels are, plain and simple, more practical than the alternative.

There is a stereotype that Black people are lazy. So, the world is about to be blown up and you have only a few days left to select some people to be blasted off to another planet to rebuild the human race. Are you going to leave all Black people out because of that stereotype?

If you're shopping for groceries, it's a good idea to label out-of-season fruit as poor quality.

The flaw here: fruits are not human beings. Your example is something that is obvious, that doesn't need to be questioned. Labelling Black people as lazy and therefore of no use to society does need to be questioned. It is not the same thing.

If you have repeated cuts on your arm, you're probably depressed and probably need help. And on and on..

Possibly, not probably. The person could be involved with something that often causes cuts to that particular area. You can't assume something just because it is the case some of the time.

[swishandflick]

I agree that labels and stereotypes have some element of truth. Stereotypes and labels don't have to fufill the entire population. All they mean is that some people (some people means at least one) fufill that stereotype. I think that stereotypes are different from labels in the sense that stereotypes are generally about cultural implications; that is, there race, statements like "Mudbloods are filthy." Labels are sort of a level underneath and discuss what a group of people dress like and other superficial qualifications.

I don't think labeling people is necessarily a good thing, but it is simply what happens with the more people one gets to know. In a one bedroom house with three people it would be very easy to get to know each individual. However, with technology and overpopulated schools (in the U.S. anyways), its very difficult to get to know the things that make individuals unique.

I don't think being stereotyped for things that one can't control, such as religion, sexual orientation, and race, is not fair at all. Those are the types of stereotypes where I draw the line.

But labels such as "goth" or "frat boy" are just nonsense. There is a big world out there, and being considered a goth doesn't really matter in the long run because teenagers go through different phases of dress and friends that make them want to dress this way. I'm in college at the moment, and these sorts of labels are dying down already.

Personally, I enjoy throwing people off by wearing pink preppy clothes one day, and all black eyeliner the next. At this point, I just find it amusing that I'm supposed to be afraid of people that listen to Marylin Manson. Oooo...he drinks fake blood...seriously I'm terrified.

My point is that after time, these childish sort of labels diminish if you don't let them control your life. Stereotypes, in my opinion, are more serious problems that can breed hate and racism.