Okey dokey. Here goes.
Jock,
nerd, Latino, christian. I don't really understand why people are so
obsessed with labels and stereotypes. It's not just our obsession with labels
and stereotypes that causes a problem. It's the fact that we refuse to accept
anything that doesn't fit into each category. It's interesting that we preach acceptance, yet when we are
actually faced with something that doesn't fit into the little categories we've
created in our minds, we panic (side note: just look at the past and how long
it took America to accept African Americans into society. And, even now they're
still not really equal). We don't know what to do, so we reject what we're
scared of. We're scared to accept the unknown and accept that everyone is
equal.
There was an episode of
Nightline (Click Here) that I saw a long time
ago, that just emphasized this need to let go of labels. It talked about a boy
who who is completely normal, except for the fact that he likes to wear
dresses. He is not abnormal mentally or “different”, however, adults look down
upon him. He just likes to wear dresses and play with things that most people
would classify as “girly”. These adults like to label him and thereby
categorize him. The culture today cares too much about gender and the
stereotypes that are supposed to fit into each gender category. There once was a time when girls
were not supposed to wear pants or other man-like clothing. It was considered
scandalous and inappropriate. However, that changed in the more modern age.
Girls now frequently dress in pants and shirts designed for the use of the male
gender. It should be time for the opposite to occur. The popular culture is too
strict on boys and holds too fast to the stereotypes that have been set since
the earliest times. We need to gently let go of society’s expectations, and
just accept people for who they are.
As it has been said
before, we all are different. These differences, however, are made into
divisions in our minds; divisions that have become borders which people don't
want to cross. We need to appreciate and accept these differences, not make
them into insurmountable walls that "none shall cross". What will it take for people to realize that the things that make us all different can be our strengths in times of need? When will people realize that labels aren't everything? And, why don't people have the urge to get to know someone rather than just pigeon-hole them into a stereotype?
I believe part of the reasons we have labels is the fact that it gives us a sense of comfort. In some ways, we need to for safety and security. For example, if you're on a subway car that's completely empty except for one sketchy man or woman in the back, despite the fact it's judgemental, you may wish to move to a different car. It is slightly judgemental, but from reasoning. I agree that labeling is wrong, but I feel t's instinctive, so we feel we understand the environment we're in and know how to react. But I also agree that we should move past it. We as humans are evolved past stereotypes, and though instinctively we may label, we should be able think it through, and say "okay, I may have this judgement, but let's test it first before I believe this person/group of people is x". It also may be a social thing, fear of going against the group giving you your own rejection, which I believe shold be fought as well. If they realy were your companions, they'd understand your difference in belief.
ReplyDeleteI agree that labeling is wrong. You should try to avoid judging others for their actions. Stereotypes are just popular in high school among teens.
ReplyDeleteLables are always going to exist. Well, I guess I don't know that for sure, but in our lifetime, I am about 99.99999999999999999999% positive there will always be some way to lable. Boy, girl, white, black, tiger, bear, awesome, dull, blond, brunett... need I go on? Liz is right. Labling in instinctive, and some of those instincts find roots in stereotypes that have been engrained in us since we were small children, whether it is because of parents, television, or the media.
ReplyDeleteI believe that were are slowly making progress in the gender stereotypes. I heard about the German boy who wears dresses, and when I looked at the comments section of the article, most people were pulling for gender equality. Girls are usually shaped to believe they should love unicorns and fairies and princesses. Boys should like cars, tools, and trains.
However, saying it one thing. Enacting it is another.
Labels are what defines us as people and by characterizing ourselves with a certain label we feel like we belong somewhere. A lot of the labeling stems from our parents and how we were raised. If my parents convinced me growing up that gays are immoral and defies religion, then that's how I would label gays. Our environment shapes us, no matter what. I don't think it's ever going to change, even if we became accepting of one another. We are who we are and like it or not, a lot of people are what others label them as. Even if labels don't change, we as the people who accept these labels should. We shouldn't let them cloud us and change our opinions of each other.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and really right on target. I think it is hard to get rid of labels without first having honest and open discussions about what the labels mean and what they have done. We need to consider that these labels are part of our society at this point and it cannot just change over night
ReplyDelete