The Destructive Idea of Labels

Athlete          Thespian          Catholic          Protestant           Male         Female
Introvert        Extrovert            Artist                 Intellectual          Rich          Poor
Gay               Lesbian            Priest             Nun                     Muslim      Disabled

We've all faced it; we have all been labeled. 
How many categories do people place you in?

 Labels are destructive for many different reasons. Primarily, they prohibit us from seeing the whole person. When we look at people and place them into categories, we only see them as we have constructed them to be seen. It only tells us about one part of a person. We are more than just one specific thing. The way that we are seen and the circumstances in which we are seen do not always define our character. When we only recognize one part of a person and ignore the rest, we deny others the dignity they deserve.

Society has created specific understandings of people who are labeled. Some people may think that introverts, because they are more contained in how they act, are shy and really bad at public speaking. This is not true. The same can be understood of extroverts; not all extroverts are great public speakers.

Men and women are also labeled, not because of their gender, but because of the traits associated with their gender. Society sets a false standard that men and women are expected to embody and live up to. Women are seen to be more sensitive, vulnerable, and less dominant than men. This does not speak of women as a whole. We are not all like that. Women are also set to a physical standard, and are objectified and robbed of dignity. Men are expected to be physically adept, tough, and uncompromising and dominating. True masculinity, right...? Certainly not. True men value the people in their lives and do not seek to dominate and overpower others. They can be sensitive and caring, and they act according to the Truth; serving God over man.

When we accept what society tells us about different types of people, we can never fully see the whole of a person. 

One of the major effects of labeling others is that we are constantly divided from other people. As long as we choose to separate ourselves from one another, we can never come together to try and effect change. And even within specific labels, there are many divisions. Our world needs people who are willing to come together, respecting one another's beliefs and ideals, to work towards a common goal. It does not mean that every person has to agree with one another. It means that we must look past our differences and find that common thread that we all share. Until we are unified, we cannot create any lasting change.

Labels divide and categorize people: not allowing us to come together and express ourselves as complete people worthy of dignity. So what can we do to counter that? 
Get to know other people. Not just the people connected to your circle of friends, but people who live a different life than you, or who come from a place foreign to you. Get to know those who see things differently than you. Personally, in talking with people who have different beliefs than I do, I have learned so much. I have also developed friendships with them as well. 

I encourage you to get to fully know the people who surround you. You may never know what you both might share. Learn to see and respect each person so that we can all come together to work towards something great.