Sometimes for want of a better word and saving time and energy, we resort to already existing labels. In the process of using a particular label frequently, we deny ourselves the opportunity to think beyond that particular word. Conveniently we slot people, objects, places and other things. Therefore it requires a feminist to point out and condemn labels that define women, are sexist. If not for them, we could not have realized that we are slotting women into a particular category.
Just take a look around you and you find that there are labels for almost everything. It is these labels that slowly make way for prejudices and stereotypes. Spaces have to be either urban or rural/country side. But most of the times we use labels just because we can’t think of any other word. Most of the times, these labels are also historical and sociological. Things are simplified for historians and sociologists if groups of people are slotted into a particular label.
In academics, one can observe this trait predominantly. If an individual gets slotted into a particular label, then that one remains with him/her throughout the career span. Even if the individual has changed loyalties and prescribes to another, the tag is sure to follow. It is therefore quite difficult to remain in the academic circle and not be labelled. These labels can sometimes be the area of an individual’s research. For example, if someone is passionate about the theory of post colonialism, then he/she is labeled a poco (short form for postcolonialist). Unwittingly, one gets pulled into the vortex of labels.
Labels can be limiting and suffocating. I am trying to think an alternate to this. I cannot seem to find any. Perhaps, you could suggest something. I would like to read what you have to say on this.
Image: Internet
Image: Internet
in one sense, labels allow our minds to store infomation easily for easier recall, but can become dangerous when they color the way we interact with others...
ReplyDeleteReally interesting post. I think labels can serve a purpose in categorizing and understanding situations and people but we should not be limited to them. Words are confining and should never limit the ever changing reality of the individual. Loved the t-shirt!
ReplyDeleteI think it is a natural tendency to label just to keep order in chaos. However, as you point out, the danger comes when that label sticks and inhibits growth.
ReplyDeleteFirst I thought of Popeye whose "I yam who I yam" was popular years ago. Then it occurred to me that would be a 'label' for 'someone who is interested in Popeye...hmmmm, what to do?
ReplyDeleteWhat about those (us) who just wanna be ME today, and possibly another 'me' tomorrow? Ya know...I could write a dissertation on this topic.
Call me Dr Steve E DSSTSL (Doctor of Scientific Studies--Tee Shirt Logos)! But WAIT! First I have to get my Masters (MBS) I will leave the more astute to decipher MBS--clue: B=Bull
Love and PEACE, Susan.
From Steve E
labels reduce the pain one will have to put to thinking or probably they simply destroy our creativity.... but they also work in a way as the red colour signifies danger - they make it quicker for us to understand and remember things. So, it's good - care should only be taken to stop excess usage - as that destroys its significance.
ReplyDeleteNice post Susan.
Happy writing,
Sunny
Labels allows the mind to put things into perspective... helps restore a sense of balance or closure.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when one cannot put a name to an action, emotion or words.... and it is at this point when one needs to just be.... hence no label needed.
So I believe it up to the individual to decide!
Seems like we spend our lives trying to summerize other peoples history (and our own) into an easy to understand word. Once one comes to that conclusion, out comes the label that one can now apply to "that person" each time the topic of "that person" comes up.
ReplyDeleteI like to believe that we each form our own story as a result of society. The people we come into contact with help form us, shape us, and label us. We come to believe in the truth of that story that was made for us and by us.
Changing my own story was and is difficult. Coming to realize that there were different truths that could be applied to my story was life changing. I could get away from my lables and start fresh, breaking down the walls I had built to protect myself.
Others still use the old labels when they think of me. Nothing I can do about that. People always judge. I try hard not to use predefined lables when dealing with others. When I listen to their stories without judging or trying to label something magic happens. I get to meet another human.
Good topic.
we resort to labels because our brains do not have the ability to fathom the vast amount of information - in the form of people, choices everything - and so we classify them - which is a great limitation but helps us to cope with life!
ReplyDeleteHmmm....that Brian Miller is a wise one. I think I will have to go read what he has to say.
ReplyDeleteGood post...we do put labels on others. I think I notice it most when others put a label on me.
Unfortunately people do tend to label everything. It makes them feel safe an puts things in order in their perception. Humans do not like chaos and the unknown. They have a need to understand everything - if they do not, that creates fear.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I too try to keep an open mind and leave my preconception at home, but it is not always so easy.;)
Have a lovely day dear Susan,
xoxo
I don't have a solution but I did come across this quote recently and just love it:
ReplyDelete"As long as we continue to live as if we are what we do, what we have, and what other people think about us, we will remain filled with judgments, opinions, evaluations, and condemnations. We will remain addicted to putting people and things in their "right" place." - Henri Nouwen
Have a wonderful day Susan Deborah!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. A friend of Jeanne is a friend of mine:-)
ReplyDeleteLabels can be very dangerous. Take the -ist words for esxample: fascist, racist, nazist, communist, anarchist, etc...
ReplyDeletePeople throw the above words at each other, often without even understanding the meaning of the word; it just saves them a serious, logical debate on the subject in question.
Children get slotted into categories in school that are detrimental to their development. Labels that in pretty terms describe them as slow, not as intelligent as others. It's hard to fight that label later.
ReplyDeleteBecause English is my second language, a lot of times I have difficulty thinking of a label, so I find myself using complete sentences to describe something or someone. Until now, I thought of that as a handicap, but reading your post I see that I am lucky to forget some labels.
Fantastic post!
Academics are the high priests of labeling. Always putting things into neat little packages that are convenient, but don't fit reality.
ReplyDeleteOh, excuse me, did I just label a group. Shame on me. :D
Thanks Susan for this opportunity to exercise my labeling skills,
Mike
Interesting topic...I struggle with 'labels' when I'm in conflict! Its when I'm in acceptance that it doesn't bother me.
ReplyDeleteI once walked with tremendous shame, guilt and remorse over labeling myself an Alcoholic; it wasn't until I accepted that I am an Alcoholic that now abstains from drinking and I choose to live a life of Sobriety. I no longer feel shame, guilt or remorse because today I choose to live my life in acceptance and I no longer create the chaos in my own life as a result of denying what I am. I admit who I am today...and I am okay with who I am! Of course its taken living Sober for 9 years and 9 months to reach this level of comfort. Life is a journey...not a destination!
Hey Susan!
ReplyDeleteLabels.. I think of it this way. Our mind is designed to learn from experience- survival. So when we come across something showing somewhat similar traits. We tend to put it in a familiar bucket. One should have labels.. and should attach them to people. But it should be like a post-it. Let it not stay for long but just to break the ice and get to know someone better.
Have a good week ahead!
Sometimes labels can be very damaging. In my field often children get stuck with labels and a self-fulfilling prophecy takes place. For example, a child labeled as a behavior problem, autisitic, Attention Deficit, etc... often has trouble changing because people do not see the individual. They relate only to the label.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, nice post.
Labels are convenient at times but also rather dangerous since they get 'stuck.' Sadly, I've seen that happen in staff rooms when a particular teacher labels a student and the other teachers just go by that label. On the other hand, if we someone gets a 'good' label and doesn't live up to it - there could be trouble too.
ReplyDeleteHmmm.... labels on people? Not a good idea I suppose. But on items , it is always helpful to identify the "thing"
ReplyDeleteFor exampe recently we were cleaning out a kitchen at a freind's house and were really preplexed by the items kept in jars and containers with no labels. Then we had to rely on our senses, touch smell and sight. First identify, "what is it?"
Then "is is old? should we throw it?"
Brian:
ReplyDeleteTrue but more often unconsciously we start labeling.
Jessica:
Hmmmmm. I liked the T-shirt as soon as I saw it.
Betty:
ReplyDeleteIt always sticks, Betty, no matter what.
Steve:
Popeye, the sailor-man! I used to like that song. Ah, Steeeve, you confuse me.
Sunny:
ReplyDeleteI guess we are comfortable using labels.
Savira:
Good.
Indistinct:
ReplyDeleteI don't like to call you so but what to do. You are an enlightened human. I'm in awe of your perceptions.
Yuvika:
Exactly.
GQ:
ReplyDeleteBM is a fantastic human. You should read his posts.
I notice it both ways.
Zuzana:
I like the word 'safe.' Wonder how words make us feel safe, Zuzana. Quite a good observation.
Colleen:
ReplyDeleteThe quote is an apt one for this post. But how do we escape that vortex?
Hope you are having a lovely day, Colleen.
Carina:
Welcome and thanks for coming by.
And . . . you are my friend as well.
DUTA:
ReplyDeleteOf course, saving time and energy is the end.
Myriam:
You are a blessed soul, indeed but in spite of not being a native speaker, I find that I resort to labels. Sad.
Mike:
ReplyDeleteAcademics are that way so you are forgiven. Great to read you, Mike.
Amy:
Welcome to th emanderings and happy to read your insight. I'm glad that you shared your story here. Wonderful that your life has taken a turn. Joy always to you.
Sameera:
ReplyDeleteHow long is "not stay for long?"
Myrna:
"Self-fulfilling prophecy," is a very good term. Is it a psychological term? Relating to lables is quite sad and incorrect.
Corinne:
ReplyDeleteGood labels are always welcome but labels are labels.
Joe:
You have a knack of making things funny.
:) Hope your trip was swell.
How long..? There is no definite time period. All I say is till you no longer need a label as the person starts defining himself/herself without our need to judge or have a mental description.
ReplyDeleteWell, the other day, one of my female classmates called a teacher male-chauvinist, because he calls out my name for everything during classes. His fault is that I, a male, am probably his favourite. When I told her that even I found the professor nice, she quickly put me in the same category.
ReplyDeleteNow, I am confused if I realy am a male chauvinist pig. LOL!
Suraj:
ReplyDeleteThe girl is just jealous that she is not being noticed by the prof. Relax. MCP has a deeper sense and cannot be used for petty issues as the one you have mentioned.
Hope you're doing well.
Sameera:
:)
When applied to people, labels are dangerous. In the US, at least, everyone tries to be fair and not label anyone else. However, when it come to academics, I have no idea. I have been out of school for so long that I cannot say with certainty what is the norm.
ReplyDeleteAcademics have their own rules and labels.
ReplyDeleteI somehow thought that labels were very common in the US albeit very discreetly.