what is label it?

what’s label it? Labels are for jeans and jars. And they're used on people too... But what do they mean and why do we use them? Labels can feel like oppressive stereotypes, or they can be a source of pride and comfort. Finding a group to identify with is sometimes an important part of the process of defining who you are--but defining anyone solely by the way they look, what they believe, or something they like or do is usually an insult to the many dimensions that make up a person. What's in a name? A LOT! Have a look at where some labels came from and where they're going...

Comments

[Eveline]

When Im walking around in the mall, I tend to look at how people are dressed.. and be like oh there emo, there prep etc.... It's a natural thing... I dont think its right to go around labling people by the way they dress and who they hang out with and how they look.... but people still do it.. and its natural.. i mean its not like theyre trying to be mean or anything...

[ciara.]

okay,
so i'm bi & many people use to talk about me but that was a year ago. so it's died down. i hate when i tell guys i'm bi they think i date the girl to have sex with them. which is so not true!

i've been labled bitch for speaking my mind.
i've been labled emo because i use to cut & because of my hair style and the fact i rarely wear bright colors.
i've been labeled whore because i like to flirt.

personally... i really dislike labels. they're pointless.

[Nikia]

I GET UPSET WHEN I TELL GUYS IM BI AND THEY SAY I HAVE NOT FOUND THE RIGHT GUY. IT MAKES ME REALLY MAD WHEN THEY DO THAT NOT ALL GIRLS DATE OTHER GIRLS BECAUSE, THEY'VE BEEN HURT BY A GUY.I DATE GIRLS BECAUSE I LIKE THEM

[Jayne]

I know how being labeled feels. People say they get labeled all the time but I know one thing that nobody ever would admit if you asked them: You labeled at least one person in your whole life.

I even admit that I've done that once in my life. I am labeled: bitch, hater, retard and dork.

[eva]

i've been called bitch,whore,hoe
it dosn't feel good being called
those names but i don't let them ignorant minded people get me down!!

[morgan]

Labeling peopl is unfair. people are just hypocrits. many people hate the hololcaust nd labeling people nd setting them apart because they are different is the same shit hitler did. we are all different but we all basically want the same things. if you are labeled its because someone is taking their time to think and label you they are giving importance to who YOU are

[Rachel]

I have been called a feminist, freak, dork, retard, faggot, dude, geek, prep (the person said because I do not wear mascara), retard, tree hugger, and straight edge. Although, the labels I hear the most on a daily basis are the ones about sexuality. I hate it, because I can't sit down in class without guys talking about their "bitches" being hos, skanks, or sluts. Or people calling people queer, faggot, nigger, pussy, white trash, pervert, etc. and I hate it. I wish people would just SHUT UP sometimes, it really is sickening. :P

[New New]

I think ones who claim not to be racist are. If you wouldn't dare say something in the preasance of the person or group of people that it's aimed towards, you probably should not be saying it. I respect a person if they come out and say something. Atleast then you know where they're coming from. But ones who pretned to not be "racist" and claim "it's the way I was raised" are the ones you need to watch. Even if one was raised in that environment, when your able to think for yourself, you know when things are wrong or offensive. you should be offended. Nad honestly you need to evaluate marrying him because do you want your childrens minds being clouded with ignorance.

[Meli]

I'm wondering what anyone thinks about this? This morning my fionce made a comment about how he doesn't like most rap music. Except he didn't say "rap music" he said "spear chucking nigger" music. I was very upset. My fionce is usually a very respctful person and openly expresses that he is not racist. And I have seen first hand that he does indeed show respect to all people individually and doesn't pass judgement. I asked him why he would say something like that. He just said he wants to talk the way he talks, it's the way he was raised, and to him it doens't mean anything, and no african american people were around so it doesn't matter. My fionce and I are both caucasian. I suppose he thinks that I don't have a right to be offended because I'm not african american. My question is: do labels matter if the people/person they are directed at are not present? or is it wrong to use labels like these at any time based on principle? does a person who is respectful to people when they are present and has friends with people of all different races, and never actually judges an individual person based on race have the right to say "meaningless comments" and claim to not be racist? Do I personally have the right to be upset/uncomfortable and/or tell him not to say them?

[sequoia]

well i get labeled tatally different things all the time..i just wear wat i feel like,not just to try and get some 'look'..i think people just label people because they are scared of anything they cant understand,so if they fit them into a steritype they feel like they know you because every1 in that goup is the same..which isnt true..

[Dena]

Hey, Ryan. I have tons of friends and I'm still labeled. Don't judge.

[Ryan]

Haha you must be all freaks at your school or something. People don't label you if you are friends with a lot of different people. I am friends with the so called ghettos, bitches, preps, jocks, emos, fags, gays, geeks, players and fuckers. If you need any hep with this shit, haha sucks for you.

[Brookley]

Lables:
the unhappy make labels.
its natural to judge.
but emo, scene, prep, ect..
are just words to make the people saying them feel better.
lets grow up..
stop calling names like 2nd graders
and close the mouth..
anybody agree??

[Dena]

Hey, Pam. Some of us can't help who we are. It ain't always our fault when someone calls us a name and it sticks with us. So, do NOT say that it is. Yeah, I went there!!!!!!!

[MeaganMorgan]

OMG labels are so NOT cool! People think they can label you cause their "COOL" thats wrong. You are your own person! Be who you are and don't let anyone tell you other wise!

[Pam]

All you people complaning about being labeled emo or scene, its YOUR OWN FAULT. If you are wearing insane amounts of eyeliner oddly choped hair dyed random colors, of COURSE people are going to label you like that,its human nature to put them into a category at first sight, and don't act like you have never labeled anybody, because everybody has. If it really pisses you off the much then stop dressing like that.

[Pam]

All you people complaning about being labeled emo or scene, its YOUR OWN FAULT. If you are wearing insane amounts of eyeliner oddly choped hair dyed random colors, of COURSE people are going to label you like that,its human nature to put them into a category at first sight, and don't act like you have never labeled anybody, because everybody has. If it really pisses you off the much then stop dressing like that.

[Dena]

Dating labels? Here's my question: do you guys know any dating labels?

[Dena]

I'm always been known as the friend. These labels are mean. I mean, once you're called something mean, that's you're known as for the rest of your school life. Sometimes, it sticks with you.

[Dena]

I'm always been known as the friend. These labels are mean. I mean, once you're called something mean, that's you're known as for the rest of your school life. Sometimes, it sticks with you.

[X cass X]

i hate the stereotypes so called emo kids and scene kids get b/c of the clothes they wair or b/c there different then everyone else. and not all so called emo's and scene kids dress the same there are tuns of emos and scene kids at my school heck im one of the so called emo kids and each one of us has our own style. so fuck all you haters out there!!

[Ellie]

I'm quiet and people say i never smile (i do!!) and one boy says I am Depressed.
I am kind of an emo-ey scene.It is not fair to call people depressed it is a serious mental illness

[Lara]

Well, my name is lara and i am very different from most african american girlz. I am 13 years old and i am going to be talking about the word BITCH. Oh c'mon, u know that we all use it! LOLZ]] you know, like when you get into an argument with your so called "friend" and u call each other a BITCH". yeah, just to let you know, we weren't born a female dog!!""

[courtney]

i'm quiet but i don't kno wat people label me as i mean one of my friends say i'm quiet but preppy.

[tavii b]

i'm not really into labels. they really dont mean anything to me, so call me wat you want it doesn't mean anything plus i heard it all before