Labels And Stereotypes
Most people that don't know me or have never been around me say, "You look younger for your age. How old are you?" That makes me pissed when they ask me that. I am 20, NOT 16. Dammit, I'm supposed to look my age, but do I? NO! I can't help it that I look younger. Anyhow, on to my rant....Labels & Stereotypes DISGUST me! Believe it or not, people are labeled for how they look, dress, act, etc. For example, someone that wears all black is considered "goth". I HATE LABELS AND STEREOTYPES! To me, they do NOT exist. It disgusts me that people think they have to label and stereotype every fucking person on the planet! For example, I like metal music, but I do not dress 'metal' or 'goth', nor do I look it. That doesn't mean I'm a wannabe & it certainly doesn't mean I don't listen to the music. Wannabes are people that TRY to be a label or stereotype & aren't that certain label/stereotype, they do not try to be an individual. They think labels and sterotypes are cool & are the "in thing". For example: Let's say there's a girl that wants to be punk, so she goes out, gets a mohawk, dresses punky, but her personality is FAR from 'punky' & she has no clue about 'punk' music. That's a wannabe. Like I said, I DO NOT stereotype or label people. A "wannabe" could be considered a label, but it isn't. Some people do consider it a label, but wannabes in my opinion, are NOT a label/stereotype. If they were then I would hate the word "wannabe" also. It disgusts me that people do this. I think of myself as being an individual, NOT a fucking label/stereotype. A lot of people are stereotyped or labeled each day. Most of them hate being stereotyped, they think that they are an individual & not a fucking label. They just want to be themselves, without being stereotyped. (I agree with this.) If people would stop stereotyping & get to know people better for who they really are & not for their label, then we wouldn't be having this problem today. People that get labeled by others, are upset by the fact that someone labels them, when they haven't gotten to know them. Even if you get to know people, you still shouldn't JUDGE people. To me, sterotyping & labeling are JUDGING people when they shouldn't be judged at all. Judging people based on their looks, attitudes, & clothes is so fucking pathetic. The people that judge a.k.a. label others, have nothing better to do with their lives. That is soooooo pathetic & lame, they need a fucking life! If they would get to know people for who they really are & not based on clothes, attitudes, & looks then, they might realize how great a person really is-inside & outside. I do not judge people, I get to know them for who they truly are. Stereotyping puts others down & it hurts them. I know this because I have friends that are or have been labeled by others. I would be a hypocrite to say I've never judged/labeled/stereotyped anyone, I used to A LOT. I have gotten over all that now. I feel that you should get to know people, after you get to know them, you'll see how unique everyone is. You might even have a new friend. Another thing that pisses me off is that African Americans & other races are also stereotyped & labeled. Like the theory that most African Americans listen to rap, dress like gangsters, & act like pimps...That is FALSE!!! Sure, some do listen to rap, some do dress in very baggy pants, & sure, some act like pimps, but most of them have their own personality & actions, not all of them are like this! There are some African Americans that listen to metal, but of course, they are still labeled & sterotyped. Labels & Stereotypes are caused because of society's standards. Society thinks everyone is grouped into "categories". So, it makes people think the same way society does. Another example of labels/stereotypes is a girl that dresses slutty, acts slutty, & talks trash is considered a 'slut'. How do they know she really is a 'slut'? Maybe she is a "wannabe" or just wants to be perceived that way to society. Perhaps, she just happens to dress, talk, & act that way, but she is really just a flirty person....without sex or the word 'slut' being involved. Labels and stereotypes put people down. It makes me pissed to think that society is this cruel to people. What WOULD happen if society actually got a life, got to sit down, and know people for their TRUE selves? Society WOULD be a much better place. There wouldn't be as much hate in the world that there is today. Everyone would be loved, accepted for being theirselves, respected, & kind to each other. There wouldn't be any close-mindedness, just a bunch of open minds. Society really SHOULD consider this essay & these thoughts.