Look Before You Label

I’m tired of being labeled by people who don’t even know me. I am my own person, just like everyone else, and the myriad things which make me who I am, once combined, result in a unique individual. Some people likely look like me or are of similar height or build. Some share my level of intelligence (such as it is), my love of sports, or my feelings about family. Many would agree with me that dogs are the greatest thing since sliced bread and that cats are much more entertaining when they’re pissed off about some perceived slight or another.

The thought that we can pigeonhole someone because they represent a particular group is silly. Individualism is the foundation of a free society, and labeling denies this incontrovertible fact. People have countless stances about infinite topics, at varied percentages and for different reasons, so the perception that anyone who feels a certain way about a certain thing defines who they are intrinsically is lazy and unnecessarily confrontational.

The self-righteous loudmouths need to get off their pedestals.

When we combine genetics with environment and life experiences, we wind up with a nearly infinite number of contributing factors that make us who we are. That sheer number of factors differentiates every single person who ever lived, or ever will live, from everyone else. No two people act, think, or are the same about everything. Yet people continue to pin labels on others they don’t even know. Whether you relate to any of my stances or not is not the point - everyone’s list will be unique.

I support immigration control, but I’m not a xenophobe.

I believe in mild gender roles, but I’m not sexist.

I follow sports closely, but I’m not that guy when they interfere with family priorities.

I’m agnostic, leaning toward atheism, but I support the religious beliefs of others.

I am white, but I’m not privileged.

I often vote Republican, but I’m not a one percenter (I’m not even a twenty-five percenter).

I oppose exposure to sexual preferences and identities in grammar school, but I’m not a transphobe.

I support (though I wouldn’t do it) businesses and religious institutions which reject services promoting lifestyles they believe to be sinful, but I’m not a homophobe.

I’m a patriot, but I’m not a nationalist.

I question the “settled science” of climate change, but I’m not a climate denier.

I opposed draconian shutdowns, but I’m not a Covid denier.

I thought masking was ridiculous, but I wore one anyway so others would feel more secure.

I rejected forced vaccinations, but I acknowledge their efficacy for some.

I support the police, but I’m not racist.

I feel our military should exude strength, but I’m not a bully.

I’m certain America is the greatest country to ever exist, but I’m not blind to its shortcomings.

I don’t spend my time keeping up with rapidly evolving nomenclature, but I’m not intolerant.

I care about unborn children, but I’m not a misogynist.

I’m pro-choice, but I don’t hate babies.

My pro-choice views have severe limits, but I recognize the challenges of unwanted children and I don’t hate women.

I call out extreme Socialism for its bullshit, but I’m not alt-right.

I call out extreme alt-right views for their bullshit, but I’m not a Socialist.

I hunt and fish, but I’m an animal lover.

I care about the environment, but I’m not a tree hugger.

I question the balance of the impact of climate measures, but I want to preserve the planet.

I feel we should keep more of what we earn, but I’m not greedy.

I think we should incentivize more than simply give, but I’m not trying to hold anybody down.

I loathe social media, but I’m not anti-social.

I think an obsession with video games is stupid, but… nothing, that’s it.

I am monogamous, but I’m not prudish.

I believe in marriage, but I don’t think people take it seriously enough.

I believe in the free market, but I’m not blind to the corruption that exists.

I don’t agree that the police are systemically racist, but I’m aware that racism exists.

I don’t agree that the police are systemically brutal, but I’m aware that brutality exists.

I believe criminals should be punished, but I still believe in redemption.

I think if there are 10 buildings, each filled with one of 10 different races of people, and one, in particular, reports the majority of violent crime, then it would be a dereliction of duty for police to not focus more attention there, but I’m not a racial profiler.

I believe that parents should be the final arbiter of decisions regarding their children, but I’m aware that some are terrible at it.

I’m all for gay rights, but I’m not a Liberal.

I’m all for capitalism, but I’m not a Conservative.

I’m a heterosexual cisgender man, but I’ve done nothing to hold anyone else back.

I think my kids talk too much sometimes, but I’m not stifling.

I think some kids need a smack in the ass from time to time to get their attention, but I’m not abusive.

I think letting children grow up too fast is psychologically detrimental, but I’m not repressive.

I hold others to high standards, but I’m not oppressive because I hold myself to even higher ones.

I call out when people are being ridiculous, but I have love for everyone.

I find flat-earthers to be entertaining, but I question their sanity.

I reject the sexualized book content or side presentations sometimes associated with “Drag Story Hour”, but I don’t mind a transgender person reading appropriately to kids.

I’m certain that everyone who uses an “unacceptable” word is not hateful, but I’m aware that some are.

I like to drink, but I’m not an alcoholic.

I like sex, but I’m not a deviant.

I enjoy horror movies, but I’m not violent.

I like action movies, but I’m not a simpleton (at least I don’t think so).

I don’t believe in reparations, but I know black people have historically often gotten the short end of the stick.

I feel that some white people today sometimes get the short end of the stick too, but I’m not a supremacist.

I don’t believe sons should be punished for the sins of their fathers, but I acknowledge our terrible past.

I like reading, but I’ve been known to fall asleep in the middle of a page (okay, nobody’s labeling me for that).

I feel that our government has too much money, power, and authority, but I’m not an anarchist.

I think the sexualizing of children is disgusting, period, stop. Label me all you like for that.

I believe Christ had many good things to teach us, but I don’t believe he was a deity.

I believe in the philosophy that “God helps those who help themselves”, but I’m not religious.

I believe in the philosophy that we should “do unto others as you would have others do unto you”, but I don’t believe they are the words of God.

I’m not a big fan of kids, but I take care of their needs.

I love dogs, but I don’t prioritize their needs over humans.

I don’t love cats, but I’ll take care of any one I come across.

I hate when birds crap on my things, but watching them fly makes it all worth it.

I have strong opinions, but I’m not especially judgmental.

I’m not perfect. And neither are you.

Zephareth Ledbetter is the author of “A White Man’s Perspectives on Race and Racism”, available as an ebook at smashwords.com/books/view/1184004, and can be reached on Facebook and Twitter