The Labels We Use

Photo: Photo by Matt Briney on Unsplash.

In race, religion, politics, and most other aspects of life, we label too quickly. By habit or convenience, to revere or denigrate, we label those we believe are like us or different.

To label, we must first judge, otherwise we won’t know which label fits. Unfortunately, we’re not good judges. We label incorrectly. We judge based on history, appearance, and assumptions, and too often think difficult things or people are bad while pleasant things or people are good. Once we label, it’s harder to change our views.

Labels are insidious, like many forms of bigotry. Often, we don’t realize we’re doing it. Sometimes our prejudices are most subtly manifested in the labels we give ourselves.

When we release labels, we’ll release the judgement that goes with them. When we stop thinking our race, religion, nationality, age, size, or gender is better or worse than someone else’s, we’ll stop feeling the need to label. We’ll stop dividing.

Every label makes us and others a subset of our true identity. No label elevates us above the divine origin and destiny that make us One. When we give up labels, we’ll give up prejudice.