Labels - Crutch of the Weak-Minded
Labels are by the far one of the most useful tools for the true
believer to cast upon free thinkers. The prevalence of
categorizing those who oppose one's point of view is a way to
dismiss and encourage others to thereby dismiss even considering
the opposition's viewpoint, facts and ideas. It's a technique
that works for organizing the ignorant and stupid who choose not
to think for themselves, but are swayed by the emotionalism of
those they feel know more than they do.
Free thought, regardless of one's current opinion on any
matter, rejects being categorized...and rejects categorizing
others with names, derogatory terms, or other labels. The facts
are what matter, but anyone who resorts to labels is simply
exhibiting their fear of another's ideas and often the truth of
a matter. Such weak individuals are so fearful of taking on
another's opinion based on facts that they resort to immature
name-calling which most weak-minded people engage in as a
defense to their ego. Don't confuse them with the facts, their
minds are already made up..
My experience has been that there are very few individuals
capable of intelligent discussion and dialogue. Regardless of
their position (and whether I may agree or not with them) I am
repulsed at the prevalence of emotionalism. Even those I do
agree with on principle often, I feel, do a disservice to the
cause (whatever it may be) by their tirades of emotionalism.
Talk-radio is a prime example of this phenomena. Tune to what is
labeled "conservative" shows and more than not you'll hear hosts
spewing out every label they can think of to describe those they
oppose. Likewise, tuning to what is often called "liberal" shows
and you find the identical thing going on. Yes, it appeals to
the masses. But it does not forward in any way expression and
exploration of ideas. Nothing will ever be solved in such
mindless attack..
Personally, I am oft amused by those who have or try to
categorize me. So many assume that because I oppose Bush's war
on Iraq, that I can be dismissed as a "pacifist." Now that makes
me laugh, for I am most certainly a fighter--believing in
self-defense no matter what action it requires. Self defense, on
the personal and national level, is necessary. But I do not
confuse self-defense with offense taken to fulfill government
and corporate greed. I believe in fighting for what is right,
and currently, I think the greatest fight we're engaged in as
Americans is the fight to defend the US Constitution from Bush
and his gang. Far from being a pacifist, I am a fighter. I can
speak of the hope of peace, but I know it doesn't come from
pacifism. I can speak of the humanity of friend and foe, but
have no qualms about the use of force to defend one's life
personally or use of military force to defend the life of a
nation..
My political positions run across party lines. Too often others
in conversation with me make false assumptions simply because
they know how I feel on one matter they mistakenly assume I must
feel a certain way on another entirely different issue. To
define is to limit. Those who assume to categorize me fail to
ever begin to comprehend. Only those who can engage in true
dialogue, exchange of ideas and facts, learn my thoughts and I
learn theirs..
Use of terms "liberal," "left," "progressive," are, too, laden
with judgmental overtones which may or may not be correct when
applied to an individual. Same goes for the terms heaped upon
those whose political leanings are toward the other side of the
spectrum..
Only when we, as a people, can forego use of labels to dismiss
those we disagree with might we be able to engage in effective
dialogue. If the common goal is the strength and protection of
American way of life, then we cannot be a nation divided
operating at a juvenile level of name-calling..
On the personal level, many I meet and hear speak, accept the
label of "victims". In fact, they seem to take a pride in being
victimized. It affords them sympathy, perhaps your help, and use
it as an excuse to behave any way they wish because you must
always allow them their weaknesses, afterall they are victims.
This phenomena is exhibited by so many in our society. On the
personal level, I've met men who whine of how they had such a
weak father and domineering mother, thus they are unable to be
anything but a "Dagwood" sort of man relative to the opposite
sex. They actually verbalize the words, complaining of their
childhood as an excuse for their disgusting weakness of mind and
spirit, and expect a woman to console them...mother them. Still
others cling to being "victims" of abusive childhoods as an
excuse for their abuse of others. It is true that those who have
been truly hurt in childhood are harmed and deserve the
counseling and other help to learn from their past and become
strong... the mature adult seeks to conquer the wounds and
become stronger (which many do becoming strong advocates for
others and achieving much in their own lives), but some cling to
being a "victim" to avoid consequences for their abuse of others
in the here and now. One can't have it both ways. Once you
recognize the harm you have suffered, you then examine and learn
the toll it has taken on your psyche, and you become
stronger--rejecting repetition of same pattern. Again, I
empathize with those who are true victims in this society, but
have only disgust for those who claim "victimization" as a means
to escape the consequences of their bad choices now. Such
pseudo-victims detract from the seriousness of those who truly
have been victims of horrible situations, and whose inner
strength prevails them to want to heal and become strong again..
As we've all seen, labels are used to dismiss other's and
labels are used to defend one's behavior. Labels serve no
purpose other than to obscure the truth. Labels are used by
those unwilling to rationally examine reality. Labels are
accepted by those who are unwilling to look at what is and
confront it. It is a tool for those unable to stand on truth,
but who must resort to emotionalism to defend themselves, their
actions, or to try and discredit others..
Gore Vidal stated it perfectly, "To be categorized is, simply,
to be enslaved. Watch out. I have never thought of myself as a
victim. I fear that the built-in defeatedness of those who
meekly, stupidly allow themselves to be categorized may further
narrow their chances to be human and useful rather than be
flattened out into passive ciphers for that either/or slot so
loved by our rulers..." (The Advocate, 1995, interview)..
I reject labels. Others may cast them in their vain efforts to
defend their ego positions, but I am uniquely me. An individual
whose opinions I endeavor to base upon fact. An individual whose
beliefs (which have seen much change over the years) are just
that: beliefs...which I never assume to be etched in stone. An
individual who has had a number of personal life experiences of
choosing to fight rather than let the corrupt escape with no
consequences. I think for myself. I ponder. I wonder. I change.
No label will ever fit such individuals as I.