Labels

We put people in categories, don't we?

Italians are emotional. The Scotch are frugal. Football players are dumb. Redheads have tempers.

I've heard physicians refer to their patients by disease and room number—"The hip replacement in 409." Attorneys refer to people as "plaintiff" or "defendant."

We categorize people in order to make life easier for ourselves. By categorizing folks, we can pigeon-hole them and relate to them in a pre-determined way. Never mind if they do not fit all the characteristics. Refuse labels.

Don’t let people categorize you. Choose to be yourself.

I'm Caucasian. I'm an alcoholic. I'm dyslexic. I'm a pastor. No, I'm not. Those are labels. I'm Jim Jackson.