Labels are great. They help organise things, like files. They underpin organisation and sorting systems. Categorisation.

Labels get tricky when applied to things that defy categorisation. People.

On the one hand, labeling people is super handy. Provided that the label is accurate — and the only way to guarantee that is if it is self applied. For example I label myself a ‘gearhead’ because it’s a convenient way to convey an area of my interests.

Labels help like minded people find each other. Help communities form. They are used to convey, in some small way, who we are. A bio with a bunch of labels tells much more - after all a label is just a certain kind of symbol.

Labels help. But only when they are not used to reinforce the oh so pervasive ‘Us vs Them’ mentality.

You can’t sort people by labels, even those they’ve proudly stuck on themselves.

Recognising that people are different and categorising them are worlds apart. Because one depends on seeing the person first, and the other the labels first.

I see people, not tags.

As far as luck goes I’ve got a pretty good lot. And I’m trying to be mindful enough to be grateful for it.

But gratitude won’t do. I am trying to become an Ally to those less fortunate. I’m still working on being better at it — but that’s Life , I suppose.

On a separate but related note as it were, I have a new label for myself.

I am hetroflexible. Maybe even bi. [Ed. note 2021: Pan, these days! 🏳️‍🌈] The truth is I’m not quite sure.

‘Confused’ feels like the most valid label, but I’m concerned that it would be interpreted as ‘making light’ of a serious issue. For want of a better word. Anyway!

Am I leveraging that declaration to make a point? Yes, a little bit. Is it justified? I think so.

Because my point is thus:

Us. Never Them. Remember the person.

With one exception. Which I suppose is the real double bladed part of the philosophy. Almost hypocritical. But you should be used to that by now.

Anyway. The exception. Those that wield labels like weapons. See themselves as better than anyone else. To them I say…

Fuck Off