Can any of us be defined in a single word?  Bitch, Gay, Asshole, Dumb, Slut, Jock, Nerd.  It’s easy to reduce someone to a single characteristic, but we are all so much more than one word can ever communicate.

Especially when someone is doing things that we find frustrating or bothersome, it is easy to put a label on them.  If a girl is being mean to you, she’s a “bitch.”  People are so complex, and we are all influenced by so many factors that affect how we interact with others.  There may be people out there who are just plain mean, bad people, but most of the time, there is a lot more going on than what you can see.

Think about it this way.  Think about how you come across to others when you’re not on your best behavior.  Maybe you had a bad night and morning at home.  Maybe you’re stressed about a test that you didn’t do well on.  Maybe your friends are being doing things that are stressing you out.  If someone labels you based on that behavior, is it accurate?

Now think about this.  Many people’s lives are not like yours.  What if every evening at home was bad?  What if every morning at home was bad too?  What if you were struggling in your classes and didn’t have anyone who you felt could help you?  How would you come across to others?  Would people label you as dumb?  As a loser?  As a bitch?  Maybe as a slut?  Would those labels be true.

Our society has become much more accepting of homosexuals, but we still view them in their own separate category.  They’re “gay.”  By using this label, we make sure that we are defining them as being different from us.  But isn’t everyone different from us in their own ways?  Do we need to have a label to define that difference?

If you are striving to be understanding of others, then you shouldn’t feel the need to put labels on anyone, just as you don’t want to have labels put on you.  If we were all more willing to accept each other for our differences, wouldn’t the world be a better place?