17 Responses

  1. karihiga
    karihiga at |

    Hi Timmy,
    Another great post. Like you, my mind categorizes too. It helps to make sense of new things and even old things. I think maybe because we like math so much that a Venn diagram helps us understand things. I agree that once people start putting certain values to labels, that’s when people can get hurt. But I like your advise. Don’t let those labels be more than what they are. And I like to add that people think about the values they place on a label. I think it’s a healthy way to have a dialog than to just throw hateful words at each other. Thank you, Timmy!

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      I’m so glad you liked it. This is a touchy subject and I worried it would upset people. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
      Timmy

      Reply
  2. diannehartsock
    diannehartsock at |

    “if you are not happy with your labels then work to change it or work to accept that part of yourself.” Excellent advice, Timmy! At times I’ve been labeled and dismissed and had a hard climb to prove I’m more than that box they stuck me in. But I see how labels can also be used in a positive way. Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      It’s not easy to change yourself, and it is harder yet to change other people’s perspective of you. What’s important is that you are happy with yourself.
      Timmy

      Reply
      1. diannehartsock
        diannehartsock at |

        Absolutely! Thanks Timmy. 🙂

        Reply
  3. Mel Leach
    Mel Leach at |

    Great post, Timmy!! As you know I’m one of those that usually harps against labels, but it’s for the negative reasons you pointed out above. Because of the tendency of people to use them in a counterproductive way to pigeonhole or stereotype people. It just irritates me to no end that people ascribe a certain behavior or a certain opinion as being attributed to a completely unrelated characteristic of a person… to use your example, for someone to say that you are effeminate because you like to wear nail polish. Now there is nothing wrong with wearing nail polish and there is nothing wrong with being effeminate, but one does not necessarily presuppose the other. I think people often use labels as barriers. They start to assume things about a person that may not be true at all based on one particular characteristic. They make an assumption and, in many cases, do not bother to get to know what that person is truly like on the inside. I believe our greatest strength is in getting to know each other; in understanding and celebrating our differences, because we are all truly unique and the combinations of opinions, behaviors, and characteristics are truly limitless. But you are right it is not the label itself that is bad and damaging. It is the way we use these labels. So maybe I should quit railing against the labels and start questioning people more about their labeling practices. Because, after all, nothing will change until we address the real issue which is not the label itself but the way people misuse the labels. Thanks for a very thought provoking post!

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Glad you liked it Mel. Yes I believe it is the people we need to blame. Because of social media there is a huge spike in bullying, but is it the social media sites fault or the people abusing it? It’s the same with labels, it can be used to learn or to bully. We need to worry less on the labels and more on the people. Thanks for the comment Mel.
      Timmy

      Reply
  4. Aniko
    Aniko at |

    I agree with you, Timmy. Labels in and of themselves are neither positive nor negative. It’s the connotations we associate with them that can make them supportive, hurtful, helpful, misnomers or merely informative. They can make us feel ostracised when used against us or give us a sense of belonging when you meet someone else who also labels themselves in a similar way and we can realise there are others like us and we aren’t alone. I guess the key is to be careful with the labels you give yourself and refuse to take on the ones others may try to give you that aim to dismiss and hurt based on assumptions. Then celebrate the ones that make you proud of who you are.

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Thanks for coming by and reading the post. I relieved that you guys seem to agree. I was worried this post would offend some people.
      Timmy

      Reply
  5. AnnaLund
    AnnaLund at |

    I love how you just explain things so well, Timmy. So clear. I adore labels, I love to categorize and put names on things. For me, things make more sense and are more beautiful the more I know about them—take birds! The owl is so much prettier when I know it’s a Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo)… 🙂 For Mel, it’s enough that it’s a Pretty Bird! We are all different.

    I think you put it perfectly: “Food is not the same as drink, when someone says eat you don’t think of grape juice.” Indeed! The brain needs exactly thises kinds of organizational tools.

    The problem with labels only arise when ignorant FOOLS use them to put people down. Words like “gay”, “girl”, or even “jock” can be used to bully. THAT is when it becomes a problem. But the problem is inherent in the PERSON, not in the label he or she is using.

    Thank you for yet another quite brilliant post. Your mind is amazing.

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      We are the same. We should make a label lovers group. <3 Thanks for stopping by My Anna. Ans thanks for all your support.
      Timmy

      Reply
      1. Anna Lund
        Anna Lund at |

        Label Lovers’ Group – let’s talk to Deeze, we might need a sign for that. 🙂

        Reply
  6. sandym0327
    sandym0327 at |

    Timmy, each and every time I read your blog posts they totally blow me away. Your posts are so well thought out and articulate. You always make me think.

    You, my young friend, are so very wise and amazing.

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Thanks Sandy! I have help on the grammar edits. <3
      Timmy

      Reply
  7. sandym0327
    sandym0327 at |

    Timmy, even the very best of writers have betas and editors to help with grammar and punctuation. It’s a blessing to have someone help you with those things. You might have help with that stuff, but I know that all of these thoughts are your own and that, my friend, is what’s amazing to me. Most people wouldn’t give this the thought that you have, nor would they have expressed themselves so well. I can honestly say my life is better for knowing you. <3

    Reply
  8. Jase Glines
    Jase Glines at |

    Timmy, this is a fantastic post! I agree with you. Labels on their own aren’t a bad thing. They help make sense of the world. It’s the intention of the people that give the label that can be negative. I love reading your posts. They’re so well thought out and written! Excellent job!! **HUGS** 🙂

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Thanks Uncle Jase! It’s because of the support of you guys that I feel safe giving my views. Thanks so Much for reading and commenting.
      Timmy

      Reply

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