Acknowledging and labeling our identity is a hot topic today.
Somehow we need to know what sex or absence of sex we are, who we have or don’t have sex with, what mental state we are in or what physical ability we have or don’t have, what religion we are or what color our skin is, to identify who we are.
It has become our responsibility to know how others identify themselves before greeting them so as not to offend them by using the wrong terminology.
We all carry many labels, which ones identify who we are?
When I was born in 1962, I came with 10 fingers, 10 toes and one penis so they said I was a boy.
They gave me a name, they called me Blair.
My first day and already I had two labels.
I was born in Canada, so I’m Canadian.
My dad’s father is originally from Scotland. Now, a Scot too.
My mother’s dad is from Italy, so let’s add Italian.
Her mother is of canadian aboriginal heritage. Add Metis in the mix.
My parents divorced, Broken Home.
To young to understand grownup problems and not knowing how to deal with them, I left home, Run Away.
Both parents remarried, Son and Step Son.
I have four brothers, two are steps, Brother and Step Brother.
I lost a parent to suicide, Suicide Loss Survivor.
Growing up, I managed to get into some trouble at times, back then I was a Punk.
In my early teens I had a severe acne problem, I was Pickle Face and I was told I was Gay because I had acne.
I hurt my friend Mark, felt bad about that, his mom said I was Dangerous.
I liked to fight to win, before I figured out I didn’t like to hurt anyone, Scrapper.
I enjoyed alcohol a lot, alcoholic maybe, Addictive Personality most likely.
Clean for over thirty years, I LIKE that label.
Smoked a pack and half a day, now Non Smoker.
I have a knee that is failing, Physically Disabled.
I have nerve damage to my left hand, both legs and right side of my face, we call this Peripheral Neuropathy, fancy label.
I was electrocuted and injured my brain, in the emergency I was told I was Lucky.
The brain injury is called Traumatic Brain Injury, big label.
With the brain injury I also have vision loss, Vision Impairment.
I deal with depression, Mental Illness.
I have had girlfriends and have been married to a woman for 31 years with no desires towards anything else, makes me Heterosexual I guess.
We adopted our first child so I’m an Adoptive Parent.
We attended a support group for couples having trouble conceiving children. We were greeted as Fertility Challenged.
We gave birth to a daughter after twelve years. Sixteen years later there have been no more children for us so I guess we are Fertility Challenged again.
I have two children and a wife, so I’m a Father and Husband.
I have one child with autism, parent of Dependent With Disability.
I have one nerotypical child, makes me a Parent of two. Labels for our kids too.
I have always been over weight, makes me Fat.
When I finished growing I reached six foot one and half, I’m Big Guy.
Now I’m an Adult and a Man.
I’m only one person with a lot of labels.
Do we really need to know who we have sex with, or what body parts we have or don’t have before we greet each other, so we don’t offend with the wrong greeting?
Should we wear tags stating how we wish to be greeted so that it doesn’t make us feel uncomfortable using the wrong term?
Even this Big Guy doesn’t have enough room on his fat chest for all his labels.
The labels that are given to us can hurt and can change who we really are. The labels that we give ourselves can hurt more. Maybe the only labels that count are the ones that identify the person we are, manipulator, bully, abuser, happy, caring, helpful, loving, a survivor. All I need to know is, Who You Are and all you need to know is, You Matter.
They called me Blair.
I’m Nobody! Who are you?
Emily Dickinson – 1830-1886
I’m Nobody! Who are you?
Are you – Nobody – too?
Then there’s a pair of us!
Dont tell! they’d advertise – you know!
How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog –
To tell one’s name – the livelong June –
To an admiring Bog!
Great post! We all have labels and this was inspiring!
I’ve been labeled in my life- sometimes good and sometimes bad. I think it’s best to live our own truth and not worry about others perceptions of us.
I’ve never been a fan of labels. I’m me – I choose not to label myself as anything beyond that, or to acknowledge the labels placed on me by society. I’m happy with me, and that’s all that really matters in my world 🙂
Such a great post to read. We all should know how to handle label. I wear mine with proud.
This is such a great post! We are so much more than one label. Loved learning more about you!
There are a lot of people out there who struggle with this too. Great post.
I know who I am and wear my label proudly. We all should!
I think there is a big difference between asking to be equally recognized and being labeled. I don’t think an increased awareness and a boost in empathy is ever a bad thing.
I think there is a big difference between asking to be equally recognized and being labeled. I don’t think an increased awareness and a boost in empathy is ever a bad thing.
I absolutely love how open and honest this post. Thanks so much for sharing some things about you!
I think everyone wants to label everyone else. Maybe because it is a societal norm or maybe because it makes us feel better personally. I agree there are too many labels to put on ourselves and others. Perhaps we should just stick to all being humans.
Thank you sharing this I know it had to be hard for you to write. I’m not one for labels either. If I had to wear all my labels I would need 5 of me!!
WOw! That’s a LOT of labels, and very thought provoking post, thank you!! I’ve never sat down to list my labels, but now I’m curious! Twin mom and mom blogger are the two that come to mind first, but i’m sure there are 100 more that I could come up with haha!
I have never been one for labels, at least for myself. If i go back like you did here there would be so many labels, and I’m just not down to wear all of them.
I struggled when writing this post. I didn't want to come across as insensitive to those that struggle with their identity, while staying true to my own. I hope that what comes across is that we are who we are and a label isn't going to change that. Although being accepted by others may feel good, it isn't going to change who we are if they don't, wearing a label isn't going to change that.Be true to you, the Hell with the rest.
Thanks Flavia, stay strong, be you.
Thank You Preet
Thank you Ruxandra
So True, thank you Fatima
Thank you Kermilla
Thank you Lyosha
Thank you, one day at a time.
I like your out look, Thank you.
I'm glad you were able to connect with the story in some way. Thank you.
Thank You Noor
Thank you Ruth
Great perspective. Hello
Beautiful thought Krati, thank you.
You’re right, it is a hot topic and one I have always struggled with. When you have all these labels attached to you it’s easy to lose your own sense of identty. Suddenly you’re in this box and you are all these labels, not who you really are. I had the hardest time breaking away from all the labels and it is something I try to be very aware of to not fall into a box again
You are amazing and truly an inspiration. This is a great post to ponder. I enjoy reading. It shows how we are being formed in our daily living.
Such a beautifully written post, never realised how many labels we could be carrying with us in other people's eyes
I've always found it interesting how quickly we label people without knowing them… oh, and how we label ourselves based on society's perception.
Such a great post! I hate that our world is so consumed with labeling people.
What a great post and a great reminder for all of the labels we carry around on a daily basis.
I think this post is important. Indeed politically correct is not always easy and it is a big subject to discuss
Its a great idea to write a blog to document your life after a memory loss. Seems like you've been through a lot,but that you are still pushing through and using your words to inspire others. Keep up the good work!
No matter what label one gets to have. The fact remains we will always be true to who we are… US and nothing else. I love this as it wakes alot in us all as to our true identity to the world today.
I love this! At first I didn't know where this post was going to go, but I totally got it by the end. You have been through a lot, but you should consider yourself very successful with what you have achieved.
Such an inspiring story of your life and I love the way you wrote it. It's a sort of a poem to my ears.
Wow you have certainly been through a lot. This is a really inspiring story. A lot of people should look up to you and how far you have come
In my humble opinion LABELS do not mean a thing. I go by what the person is like NOW–not what he was before. Hello Blair–nice to make your acquaintance!
What a wonderful and poignant post! It is reflects the current society well. We really have been bogged down with all the labels that have been shoved at us. Let's hope for a world where everyone is more concerned with being a better human being and less with their 'public image'
Thank you for taking an interest.
as you should. we should be able define our labels and wear them with Pride.
So true Danielle, thank you
Thank you Liza
I’m not sure I fully believe in labels and labeling people. Sadly I believe that is what our society has come to.
Very interesting read. I do not believe in labels but we live in a world where unfortunately they became standards and people think it is normal to label others when its not. Thank you.
Thanks Tonya
Thank you Dhemz
Thank you Daphne’
Thank you Laura
Thank you Evelyn, I’m sure they grow to be respectful people
Thank you for sharing Lyosha
Thanks for your interest Joanna
Thank You Sydney
Thanks Alexandra
Thank you
This was so thought provoking to read. I don't believe in labels as I think everyone is capable of changing so why be labeled? -Tonya Morris
What a great topic to talk about. Sometimes people take those labels so negatively and it should not be. Thanks for sharing!www.gregdemcydias.com
My name is my label because it’s unique to me just as my fingerprints are. Great post and I enjoy your writing style.
Very interesting read and thank you for sharing xLaurahttps://pinkfrenzymissl.blogspot.com/
I do not believe in labeling anyone and have raised my kids the same.
Very interesting read. We all do come with labels but we shouldn't be judged on those labels.
Thanks for opening up this topic. This is such an interesting one to talk about. It was a good read.
Thank for bringing this subject. I agree it's important to talk about this. I don't believe in tags either. We are who we are and nothing more
I don't believe in labels. However, I never thought about someone's name being a label.
Thanks for sharing – it's an interesting take on all the labels we hold. It was a very interesting post!
labels are a necessary part of life. I wear mine with pride!
I like this style of writing/posting. Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed this a lot.
Thanks for sharing this.I found this informative, and interesting. You have been through a lot,and you are inspiring.