Politically Correct
Acknowledging and labeling our identity is a hot topic today.
Somehow we need to know what sex or absence of sex we are, and who we have or don’t have sex with, 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.
A day old 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.
They called me Blair.
Thank you Lyosha
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Thank you Kermilla
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So True, thank you Fatima
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Thank you Ruxandra
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Thank You Preet
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Thanks Flavia, stay strong, be you.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!!
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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.
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I absolutely love how open and honest this post. Thanks so much for sharing some things about you!
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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.
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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.
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