Lose The Labels!

When do adjectives become labels? Why do we group people by collective adjectives instead of seeing them as just another human being?

Maybe I’m being a bit sensitive. Maybe being sick has made me a little less patient to deal with certain things, but I found myself getting annoyed this week. I try to avoid anything heavily political and most news. I believe in my soul none of it is really true and most of it is manufactured propaganda.  However, occasionally political stuff crosses my eye or ear.

What bit my butt this week were the terms liberal and conservative. I’m not sure what triggered my annoyance with these terms after all this time. What began the thought process, however, was someone mislabeling someone as liberal that I knew to be a more conservative thinking person.

This set me to thinking. What makes a person “liberal” or “conservative” or any of those other labels that we find people being herded into? Why do we have to fit into any label? Why can’t I be a conservative liberal? Someone is already saying “That’s an oxymoron!” But is it?

Why can’t we all just be human instead of labels? When do we stop picking everyone apart and start finding the commonalities? Why do we keep finding ways to hate each other instead of loving each other?

This world is in a bad state of affairs. We all can agree there is a lot going on behind the scenes that nobody knows about. Who are the good guys? Who are the bad? And for that matter, how can we even tell anymore? Black is white and up is down. This crazy world is all backward.

Those people labeled “conservatives” tend to be more religious people. I have found them to be more patriotic and loyal to God and country. The ones who are labeled “liberals” are more willing to fight for more secular freedoms. Does that mean a religious person can’t be liberal? Nope. I know of a few in my personal life.  However, they are considered conservative for their religious views.

Are we all really that divided? Is the media painting a picture of a room divided with a white line painted down the middle? Can you only stand on your side of the room, much like the racist world we used to have when “black” people were shunned from “white” establishments?

Wake up world! We are being purposely divided. United we stand, divided we fall. Forget the differences. Live your own life and love your neighbor. And preach by example instead of by word.

I was recently reading a chat board that had been flooded by an interloper who was a believer in the flat earth theory. Instead of presenting his case in one post and asking for anyone with questions to talk with him, he insisted on being disruptive and pushy. It had nothing to do with the discussion on the board. His approach was disrespectful. This is not how people will be changed. In fact, it pushes people away.

It’s the same with those old conservative and liberal labels. Both sides feel their issues are important and right and everyone needs to be converted. In today’s world that means a very physical “in your face” type of conversion. A heavy handed “believe as I do or else” type of attitude. This will not win anyone over.  The element of respect has been lost in this world.  Disrespect will not win your case.  Didn’t they used to say you could catch more flies with honey than vinegar?

Sometimes the best friends were once enemies. Take the time to get to know those who hold a different point of view. Look past the labels and see the humans. Talk to each other. Listen with open minds.

Lose the labels and find the friends. Life is too short to spend it fighting. Wouldn’t you rather love all those around you then spend your life fighting with them because of differences of opinion and belief?