Don’t we always go on and on about “being yourself” and yet, when people act like themselves, they are cornered and targeted.  Individuality?  What is that?  Do we really praise it?  Or is it just a facade we put up to hide our real message?  Don’t be yourself, follow the crowd.  Don’t be unique, fit into our molds.  Follow the label you’re assigned.  It’s all I hear coming from our society.  

People of all ages are labeled every single day.  Whether it be because of the social status, sexual orientation, looks or religion.  People are packaged as jock, nerd, lesbian, gay, slut, fat, and many many more.  Not only are these terms constricting, but they’re also offensive.  People aren’t objects they have feelings that can be hurt and therefore, shouldn’t be labeled as such.

But even after all of these classifications and stereotyped there are terms that are directed not to a person but, to an object. Walking down the hallway I hear students interchanging comments like “That’s Gay.”  What was once rightfully classified as an offensive is now normal.  The problem with that is that people take a word that in no way shape or form should be used as an adjective.  People take these words and attach hate to them, indirectly offending others.  You’re offending homosexual people by taking their sexuality and making it seem like a thing to be ashamed about.   Ultimately, you’re talking down to someone even if your comment was directed towards a movie’s plot or a pun you just heard.  It’s not acceptable.  Hurting someone verbally is just as wrong -if not more- than physically hurting someone.

People every day all over the world are afflicted by those biting labels/stereotypes.  Some seek refuge in a counselor or a priest.  Others lose themselves in books and fairytales where nothing ever seems to go wrong.  Others find peace with their family and friends.  But, there are some who can’t deal with it and find themselves lost in the world of self-harm, drugs, alcohol, or depression.  We have the power to change this.

If you’re a person who’s affected by these stereotypes and labels there are quite a few options available to you.  The first option is standing up for yourself.  Don’t let them stomp you down, but don’t stoop down to their level.  The second option is to reach out to someone.  For example, if counselors aren’t your thing you can talk to a friend, family member, priest, teacher, or even a random stranger on the bus.  They might have some useful advice for you or they might be able to stop it.  The third option available to you is to embrace your label/stereotype.  It might seem a bit counterintuitive, but it actually works.  If you take the label and it make it your own it makes it less offensive.  You’re showing that words can’t define you and that you’re stronger than them.  

It’s time that we learn to stop creating stereotypes.  It’s time we learn to avoid labels.  It’s time we start to act more like human beings and not like savages.  It’s time we realize that words can – and will – hurt someone.