Why Do Labels Matter? | How You See Me

We invited the participants of How You See Me to have a conversation about their experience and the themes brought up in the comments. In this episode they discuss why it matters that we have labels. White, black, Hispanic, American, skinny, LGBTQ, disabled... all if these labels and categories play an important role in our lives. What are your labels? How can we use labels to start a meaningful conversation?

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[NotAnotherKuromi]

"I don't give labels too much power, they are only a tiny sticky note on a much more complex human being."

[Chhaia]

I think, people need labels to mentally belong to a certain group, to feel included and not alone. This helps of course, and it makes certain things easier, but it makes it also easier to differentiate and seperate and point out the differences between all those groups..

[FilipMattson]

I used to have a habit of labeling myself. But I went through many labels in my life, so it wasn't an issue for me. Generally, I felt free.

It's when other people labelled me that I felt trapped.

[leatherback]

I loved the lady's comment that if she didn't see colour, she would be erasing her husband's experiences of being a black man in America, ignoring what he's been through. Wow, well put

[NotAnotherKuromi]

There is nothing wrong with labels, just peoples assumptions & stereotypes they think of based on those labels.

[meaning]

I hate labels because it always comes with stereotypes but I also like to be identified through my experiences in life

[Inannawhimsey]

Another in the fine series of sharing in the common human experience

[gmar]

STOP THE LABELING! It’s immature and it’s dividing us

[saraalouh]

In my opinion, labels are a necessary evil. Humans are curious and we want to know everything, getting rid of labels is entirely unattainable (at least for the foreseeable future). So until then, we have to own our labels. One label will never sum up anyone, but it does make them feel part of something bigger. For now until bigotry is completely and entirely gone, we need labels to unify.

[lukasschwaab]

Found the channel today and instantly fell in love with it. It's like the more authentic version of the good side of Buzzfeed!

[Brthr]

"It's how you stereotyped the labels, that's the issue" YES OMG YES

[Kagiso]

Humans evolved language in order to effectively communicate.. labels are just a product of that. We need labels to identify others and ourselves.

What we should really be dealing with as posited in this video is how to avoid using labels as a means of division instead of simple tools of identification.

[mariLU]

I don't really understand why you shouldn't ask people where they're really from. I personally love the fact that I'm not "just" Swiss but also have other roots.
Sure, you might have grown up in the US and lived there your entire life. But if your parents or even your grandparents came from a different culture it had an impact on you that you can be proud of.

[eamadison]

Labels divide and conquer - it’s the systems warfare and intention to keep control. If we keep dividing we will never unite. We are all unique human beings so lets start deciding how you want to spend it, as a label with constant problems or can you just stand up as the individual you are and stop trying to fit in or be understood?

[LightPixelle]

Change Diversity to Complexity. I love the fact that I can 100% relate to that idea.

[drillgirl]

labels are the problem, it brings division, we are all humans, this body is but a vehicle, once you categorize yourself or adopt others label of you as your own label, thats when the problems begin,

[bruhkent]

labels are great! just dont use them in a negative way and they wont *get in the way*

[cheekiereynolds]

I think labels need to be destroyed PERIOD!!! People are people that's it!

[kencoleman]

To quote Bono:
"And we love to wear a badge, a uniform
And we love to fly a flag 
But I won't let others live in hell 
As we divide against each other 
And we fight amongst ourselves"

[starberrysweetee]

I want to talk to all of these people, such deep thinkers with such beautiful ideas