Should we try to suppress that in us which wants to label others?

Question

There seems to be some tribal thing in us as humans that makes us want to label both ourselves and others.

Isn't it about time we realised the world is one and humankind is one? So why not resist labelling?

Sorry it's maybe too serious for P + S but I just saw a q asking if i liked this type of person or that and thought about this issue again.

Just a bit more - I actually agree with all a's below - yes we do use past experience and categorise and it is a natural defensive mechanism.

My concern is more about the judgement that seems to automatically follow the application of a label which some answerers have noted.

Answer 1

Completely agree......I'm wondering how long it will take the world to realize that we are the same. Doesn't matter what religion or race, we are still humans.

Answer 2

I suppose you're right, but think about this:

is it not fair to label those who work hard for what they have achieved and those who do not? What about those who earn their labels? Someone to be respected, or someone to be pitied.

Who's to say that this label is ETERNAL? Hehe, one can't be pitied forever, and nor can someone be pitied by everyone because not everyone feels the same.

I think labels are safe in the sense that they are so common so as not to be taken seriuosly anymore...and the labels that exist and that matter are ones that have endured for centuries because of the usefulness of the label.

Examples of useful labels include wife/husband, patient, prioritized, and Nurse. There are millions more. Can you imagine a world where we were not allowed to refer to someone by these labels?

Just thinking aloud here. :) Thanks for the question!

Answer 3

Suppressing is one thing, not doing it mentally to begin with is another. I don't believe anyone (any adult anyway) is so naive as to not compare "right now" visual images with earlier points of reference in their memory banks that categorized "types" together by whatever identifying characteristic they displayed, be it clothing, mannerisms, race, whatever. It's a natural reflex, a defensive reflex if you will, that helps protect us from "negative" experiences, similar to a fear reflex. Fearful people will do this more than those who are more self-confident and secure in their surroundings. Cut them some slack, be patient; they are weak, and so are we. Some more so than others.

Answer 4

Within reason. Ethnicity does encompass culture and ethnic disparities can therefore result in culture clash. Ethnic variety can also provide a healthy stimulus to social creativity. You can't just artificially homogenize humanity into one supposed "race" or ethnicity and imagine you are looking at reality,because you won't be. But yes,people do use labels to stereotype. It should always be discouraged.

Answer 5

It's far too easy to say that we can stop. It's inbred in us. We have to make snap judgements about people every single day--your opinion of a person is based on the first 15 seconds!

To say that we should stop labelling each other is a joke. You can try to stop, but in the end it's going to be a part of you regardless of whether you admit it or not. It's subconciously built into us.

Answer 6

HELL NO! A BASTARD IS A BASTARD AND SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED AS ONE! Should the pedophiles,rapists and Woman-beaters be allowed to walk freely among us? A label is neccessary for everthing.Would you like to go grocery shopping with no labels? Have fun in the canned goods section!

Answer 7

I agree....and it has gotten much worse over the years. And younger people stress big time about this. We are all basically the same, as scary as thought is sometimes, we just are. I don't label people.......it is just a waste of time.

Answer 8

I agree with you. I do my best not to label people, but I'm not always successful.

Answer 9

Sure, it's a good suggestion ... unless the label we are giving someone is positive... ♥

Answer 10

I label everyone "Fruits of the Loom".....lol...