Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Our labels, what selves?

There is a natural human need to categorize and labels help us to do it. Like having a "Sugar" label on that container with, yup, the sugar. Yes, you could look into the container. Take some of the white substance out and taste it, to know what it is, but that label makes things quick and easy. Just read it and know, or think you know.

I don't think there is any doubt of the usefulness of labels with containers of sugar, and labels are there for so much in our lives. But what about those with regard to people?

Our politicians I'm sure must crave certain labels: brave, successful, leader, dignified

Just some I think are positive among many others.

And try to avoid others like: fake, disloyal, corrupt

Yes, so efficient in categorizing even people, even politicians, labels have an appeal and ease which makes their impact impossible to escape. And they can be so destructive too. So should emphasize am focused very narrowly here. Thinking about politicians. Am going to avoid digging too deeply into this subject!

Even before you meet a person for the first time those labels can determine so much of your behavior:

Rich person? Reporter? "Leader of the free world"?

Whether you believe them or not, put much stock in them or not, you will probably have to react to them, once given to you.

We can get so fixated on the labels with which we can try to categorize including with people. But the labels do not necessarily tell what is the most important reality. And can even be just wrong, like if some prankster has replaced the contents of that container for sugar. Or if someone accidentally put the label on the flour container.

It's worth remembering to focus scrutiny on the labels at times, to not just accept them. So a politician wishes to grab a particular positive label, does that make it true?

How do we know how to look behind the labels or when it is necessary?

As political season in the United States gets under way, I'm reminding myself to constantly keep checking labels attached to candidates

And there are definitely labels worth gaining, shifting to other areas beyond politics, being called "doctor" is supposed to be an indicator of expertise. And there one can see where there can be a problem with just the label, as how did the person get it really?

For a medical doctor, years of hard work in medical school are required, legally, and even more in training beyond is usually necessary. But what about someone who wishes the honor and tries to simply take it, with none of the above? Like some charlatan might counterfeit credentials and convince others. Such a person can be called the thing by misled people, but cannot perform at the level. And that can be a matter of life and death.

Which can maybe help in this regard, as a real doctor can be challenged on expertise and shine. And in fact that kind of challenge can be like rubbing brass to make it all shiny. Like if you're not sure the label on that container is correct, so then yes, you need to take some out and see that it IS sugar.

People with ability relish using it. People with real knowledge take it for granted that it is a tool at the ready in their daily lives.

Ultimately we will all probably find labels in life. Ready or not, others will put some on us. And while some must be fought against, or are divisive, others fit a social need. They're just so handy.

Labels are out there, whether we like it or not. Facing them has helped me through my life.

The complexities of the political process demand help in simplifying, so no doubt labels will continue to fly in American political campaigns. The real question for the careers of the politicians involved is, which ones will stick?

But regardless at times any should be challenged and tested. Make sure that person is more than just a label but is also the reality that should be behind it.


James Harris

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