Label verb : Assign to a category, especially inaccurately or restrictively.
What is in a name? All of us recognize ourselves by a name that we accept. We are given many other names, however. Fair or unfair, for better or for worse, all of us have experienced being labeled. Sometimes we choose the label and other times we don't, but what really happens when we accept or are assigned a label? Do we HAVE to accept the labels assigned to us? What happens if we rebel against a label to which we are assigned?
Before sharing my experience with labels, it is important to understand how I define the verb "label" or "to label." Although the dictionary definition of the verb "Label" is given above, I propose that this definition is inaccurate. Why? Because it specifies that to "label" is to assign a category, especially inaccurately or restrictively. My experience shows that labels are inherently restrictive because they eliminate individual perspective and often restrict the recipient's ability to communicate.
Why do we assign labels?
The psychology associated with labeling or stereotyping suggests that labeling allows an individual to deal with complex and overwhelming numbers of variables very quickly. Hence, we are inclined to label individuals in order to be able to quickly evaluate who they are. Mentally, upon assigning a label, we believe we now KNOW what we are dealing with. This can serve to be very beneficial at times. Quickly categorizing people helps to ensure our safety by helping us to identify "red flags" we might otherwise ignore. This means that labeling in and of itself does not necessarily stem from an innately negative place. Although labeling may serve a purpose, I do not embrace labels, nor assign any to myself. A recent experience serves as a perfect illustration of why I resist labels.
I Recently rebelled against a label assigned to me.
A few days ago, I wrote a myTake titled "I HATE Feminism!" (https://www.girlsaskguys.com/girls-behavior/a35520-why-i-hate-feminism). This myTake centered around my dislike for being assigned the label "Feminist." Although this myTake generally highlights some of my issues with the modern day feminist movement, it mostly centers around my hatred of being assigned the label. I have received a lot of comments on this MyTake, many of which are disparaging ones left by women explaining why I should have to accept this label. The entire experience has caused me to reflect on how much I truly rebel against almost EVERY label I am given and to reflect on WHY I believe all individuals should reject the labels they are assigned entirely.
Labels strip individuals of their unique identity.
When we label an individual (or they provide a label for themselves) we mentally place them into a category. We may have positive, negative or neutral thoughts, feelings and/or experiences related to any category assigned. Since my recent experience with labeling centered around a myTake in which I reject the "Feminist" label assigned to me, I will stick with this particular label for my examples.
When thinking of a feminist, some think of a proud woman who believes in the equal treatment of women within society. Others think of bra-burning women who desire to enslave men (Seriously, this resembles some of the feedback associated with the myTake). Regardless of how a person views this particular term, almost everyone associates the term "Feminist" with a certain set of characteristics based on his/her personal experiences. Because of the way our brains correlate information, when the category assigned is recalled, we assume our experience to be true, and therefore, somewhat universal. It does not matter that the individual receiving the label may differ substantially from our association with the specific term used to label them, most of us still immediately assign them the characteristics we associate with the term. This often means that the individual has essentially been stripped of at least part of his/her individuality just from being associated with a label.
Going back to the myTake I wrote about resisting the label "Feminist," provides an even greater understanding of this concept. The comments reflected that by rejecting one label, I was automatically assigned many other labels by many readers. Most of the characteristics which were assigned to me, are not reflective of who I am as a person in any way. Here are some examples: I was accused of being a man pretending to be a woman (because how could someone labeled as a "Woman" be against being labeled a feminist), accused of being "religiously indoctrinated" (because someone who I now label as "Anti-Feminist" MUST be brainwashed), labeled a "Trump Supporter" (because only people who are "Conservative" would resist this label), and assigned a variety of other characteristics from ungrateful to ignorant. When reading these comments, I quickly realized that the message I conveyed was eroded by the labels that many of the readers projected onto me.
Labeling provides an excuse to no longer listen.
Once we label an individual, or accept a label they have assigned to themselves, and correlate the term used with our experiences, there is no longer a reason to listen to this individual. If we already know what and who we are dealing with, why do we need to listen any further? Mentally, they are categorized and now we can anticipate what information the person will present. This is why the comments I received on my recent myTake were not reflective of what I actually presented. Once I was labeled, my ability to communicate was limited and the reader inferred things which were inaccurate.
I will continue to rebel against labels.
My recent experience has solidified my decision to rebel against labels. I am an individual. I am unique. I am NOT like anyone else, and if I want to effectively communicate, I MUST continue to resist labels. This experience also made me realize that resisting labels will be a lifetime battle. People WANT to label others. It helps them to better relate in a faster and more efficient way and the process provides some level of self-protection. This means that I must be vigilant in assessing for new labels which are placed upon me if I want to preserve ability to effectively communicate as an individual.
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