Labels, labels, labels!

Exactly what the title says, the dreaded word that no person, young or old wants to hear.  Labels.  At least one point in our life (most likely when you were in middle, or high school), you have been labeled something, either positive, negative, or part of a certain group.  Most likely, you weren't thrilled when the said person came up with that conclusion, and tried to explain (or argue) about that person's findings.  On the other foot, you have at lest labeled someone at least one time, with the result being the same, if not worse, than when you were labeled.  

Before you go on saying that you've never, or have never done such a thing, you have.  Everyone has.  You've labeled someone, I've labeled someone, and that cranky old lady down the street has labeled someone.  Anyone that says that they have truly never labeled someone, is either telling a lie, or isn't aware that they had.  Now, the point of this article isn't to simply just say 'everyone labels'.  There is actually a hidden meaning why we do this.  

As a society, we have a 'herd' mentality, where we are use to a common norm, and anything outside of that norm, could be seen as dangerous.  This is due to humanity's primitive ancestors.  A way how they decided if something was safe or not, is if it followed their social norms.  If something didn't follow the herd, then they avoided it at all cost, since it could potentially harm them.  With that being said, we still do this, for fear of danger.  This in turn, caused us to come up with 'boxes' to put certain types of people in, or label them, to be part of a group, or stereotype.  Bottom line, we use it as a short way to 'get to know' people, without having to actually talk to them.  We can guess what they like, or how they act, just by looking at them, labeling them to a group, or stereotype, and decide if we really want to interact with that person.

Don’t get stereotypes confused with labeling.  Instead of placing someone with a group of people (either right, or way wrong), stereotypes stamps a negative image on a person, or group of people.  One of the more known goth stereotypes, is that all goths are warship the devil. 

"But shouldn't you get to know the person, before judging them?"  Yes, that's the ideal way of politely getting to know someone, and it's very much encouraged.  However, there is another question I would like to ask:  

If you join a specific group, would you choose to be labeled as part of that group?  

I ask this question, because I believe that in this case, then it would be ok to label someone.  I'm not ashamed to be labeled as a goth, or wiccan, because that's what I am.    I'm both of those things, and me getting upset over the fact that someone labeled me as such, would be pretty stupid.  If someone stereotyped me, then I would hold offense.  This is especially true, if it's something extreme, like the whole 'all goths cut themselves' song and dance.

What I'm trying to say is, if you a join a group, embrace the label with confidence.  Be aware that labels aren't always a bad thing, especially if it's something that you identify with, or that feels like you.