Labeling

Labeling: cause & effect
Richard Bach once wrote “A name is a label, and as soon as there is a label, the ideas disappear and outcome label-worship and label-bashing, and instead of living by a theme of ideas, people begin dying for labels... and the last thing the world needs is another religion” (brainyquotes.com). In our society the tendency to label and compartmentalize people is apparent. Labels people are given affect their own and others’ perception of them. Labeling comes from anything, whether it is your gender, race, occupation, sexual orientation, clothing, or even your social status. These categories have all been affected throughout history. Although labeling has been a problem in society, there are many positive and negative effects that it has on people.
Labeling and stereotyping is something that comes natural for most people. Some stereotype because they are unfamiliar of the person or situation. Sometimes “labeling” can be unintentional. For example, my best friend is from the south suburbs of Chicago where it is a predominately Caucasian area. She has never been to the inner city, where there are a lot of African American people. When she went to college, she was assigned a roommate that was from the south side of Chicago. She automatically had a judgment on her because she didn’t know her; she only knew where she was from. After getting to know the girl she started to look into the label and not the stereotype. She began to really like her for who she was and kind of wished she didn’t have that perception of her in the beginning. You really cannot help it but to stereotype people. For example whenever I am unfamiliar of the area or the person I automatically assume it’s going to be a bad experience. I know this is not good but it’s something I cannot help. Until I get to know an area or person I have only the thoughts I feel and unfortunately those may be negative.
Everywhere you go, you find yourself in a stereotype or stereotyping....