Labels

[Kiid]

Literally

Also I don't mind labels but they are only words to me. What do other people think about labels that we use for ourselves and others?

[MisterTinkles]

[Lalo]

Wow! Great question regarding recent events on this site and a certain bombastic argument regarding bisexuality! I wasn't involved in that argument (had been away for a number of days). But when I reviewed what had been said, the thing that most jumped out at me was that the entire argument occurred because of "LABELS"!

IMO- Labels are a convenience for a society that is still in its infancy. We need to try to work to get over our labeling if we are going to survive as a species. What do I mean?

In the most recent example, the problem was different definitions about the labels "Bisexual", "Heterosexual", and "Homosexual". There was a huge blow-out because people did not take the time to understand that THEIR definition of a particular label, differed from the person's who wrote a supposedly "offensive" post. In other words...what I mean by "bisexual" is NOT the same thing that you may mean, or that anyone else may mean by the word. Does "bisexual" mean that you HAVE to have sex with both males and females? Does it mean that you only have to have the desire? How much desire? Does it have to be 50%/50% split?

So, I guess what I am trying to say is that labels, as far as human beings are concerned, completely screw things up. We use them as a kind of shorthand, but they almost ALWAYS lead to the misunderstandings! Yet we are all guilty to some extent of using them. I guess, if nothing else, we should try to avoid labels when it comes to human beings and our interactions. (Good luck on that! LOL)

[MisterTinkles]

Hate and intolerance (not to forget all the stupid, moronic, and dumbassed people) in the world has done a lot to destroy the line between description and hate language. This term has been dubbed "labeling". Which is basically a negative stereotyped trait that is meant to belittle, demean, degrade, and drag you down.

"Labeling" has always been around, but has only recently gotten noticed as a "practice" in the past 20 years or so. I believe "labeling" really took its place in history back in the 1950's and 1960's...with people being labeled "communists", "Bolshevik's", "red's", "Viet Congs", "flower child", "hippie", etc....
Something to place blame onto another for fear they know the truth and will tell.

Nowadays its developed into more "hate slang", and encompasses more than just labeling others for the reason of placing blame. Now labels are meant to be hurtful, condescending, belittling words meant to insult, embarrass, and degrade someone else.

Again, the line between labels and description is faint, and usually depends on the way it is emphasized in what you are saying. But then again, some labels are just meant to be nasty, no matter how you say them.
Example:
Who is that Asian guy over there?
Who is that Asian guy over there?

The first one is just a question of curiosity. They dont know the guys name and wonder who he is.
The second one is meant as an insult of racial tones. Emphasizing the word. As someone who does not like Asians or is bigoted against anyone of Asian influence.

But this is what we have learned since birth. You label someone to identify them. Whether its hateful, or just descriptive, thats what we have learned. And in a world full of labels, its damn hard to get away from.

The best thing you CAN do to lessen the blow of having your descriptive words be heard as labels, is to think about what you say BEFORE you say it. Try and use generic descriptions when possible. And dont EMPHASIZE those descriptive words when speaking...it gives them the power to be heard as labels.

Its also difficult in the age of texting, emailing, posting, and blogging. There are ways around this though. Smiley's at the end of sentence. "(jk)" next to the word that might be construed as offensive.
Even explaining that what you say is meant for descriptive purposes, not as labels to hurt anybody.

Very few people think before they speak anymore...regardless of it being on paper, by voice, by electronic devices. If people WOULD think before they speak, "labeling" would not be as bad as it has become. And the more people that think before they speak, the more descriptions take over and labels dwindle.

Im just saying......

[MisterTinkles]

Wow! Great question regarding recent events on this site and a certain bombastic argument regarding bisexuality! I wasn't involved in that argument (had been away for a number of days). But when I reviewed what had been said, the thing that most jumped out at me was that the entire argument occurred because of "LABELS"!

IMO- Labels are a convenience for a society that is still in its infancy. We need to try to work to get over our labeling if we are going to survive as a species. What do I mean?

In the most recent example, the problem was different definitions about the labels "Bisexual", "Heterosexual", and "Homosexual". There was a huge blow-out because people did not take the time to understand that THEIR definition of a particular label, differed from the person's who wrote a supposedly "offensive" post. In other words...what I mean by "bisexual" is NOT the same thing that you may mean, or that anyone else may mean by the word. Does "bisexual" mean that you HAVE to have sex with both males and females? Does it mean that you only have to have the desire? How much desire? Does it have to be 50%/50% split?

So, I guess what I am trying to say is that labels, as far as human beings are concerned, completely screw things up. We use them as a kind of shorthand, but they almost ALWAYS lead to the misunderstandings! Yet we are all guilty to some extent of using them. I guess, if nothing else, we should try to avoid labels when it comes to human beings and our interactions. (Good luck on that! LOL)

This is exactly why I love 'this place'! You've got people on here from all over the world, and you get to see how they think, what they feel, and how they understand certain things.

And without debate, and even a few "tantrums"....we would never have the means to understand each other. Granted, some people (worldwide, not just on here) are bull-headed and know what they know and thats all they will ever know...but the rest of us get a glimpse into other peoples lives, their thought processes, and how they understand things in different ways than you or I do.

Personally, I love this. How the hell are we supposed to understand and learn from each other on this planet if we cant talk, discuss, debate, and throw the occasional tantrums??????

[MisterTinkles]

And lets not forget that "labels" CAN be used for positive enforcement.

Honest
Sincere
Loving
Worthwhile
Important
Valuable

There are a couple of people in my life who are my "angels", and thats how I describe them to anyone I talk to about them.

[Bowyn Aerrow]

I personally have little issues with most labels. I find them useful in distinguishing different individuals. Really its hard, you humans all look the same to me....:tongue:

As for derogatory profound words to describe people, that is bigoted and usually done in hatred. While I guess technically those are labels, I do not view them as the part of the necessary system of sorting and storing data that the brain works with.

I have no problem being singled out and called the 'white guy' - I do have a problem with being called a 'cracker'.

I think that Politically Correct Attitudes have (as with so many other subjects) done severe damage to this area. Yeah sure saying 'mentally challenged' sounds better than retarded - but if the individual is 'brain distressed' there are times when that will need to be mentioned. After all who wants to hand a loaded gun to a retard?

Labels can be useful, and there are diplomatic ways to utilize them. It all boils down to the condemnation of the person using them. If there is no condemnation or ill will, no problem.

[VileKyle]

Labels are just a way to categorize individuals and judge them based on your idea of an entire group. People need to understand that everyone is different and you can't judge them based off how you think the world works. Unfortunately, this happens everywhere and will likely continue to happen everywhere.

[Kenny221]

I have no shame in saying this....

Gay labels makes finding porn easier.

[BorneoJake]

booo labels and just be your self!!