I Don't Like Labels...

To put it simply, I don't like to be labeled.

I don't like to have a sign hung around my neck by someone who doesn't even know me! There are those in this old world that are not happy unless they are running around helter skelter putting labels on folks.

Maybe our view on politics are not the same, maybe our views on religion, on lifestyles, on history, on heroes, on just about anything you can imagine are not the same...but still, don't put a label on me!

Look, here's the thing. Freedom of speech is alive and well, and while I may not agree with what you say, I will defend to the death your right to say it. However, that does NOT include the right to label folks. Labeling people is counter productive. Labeling people is falling into the trap that government and politicians want you fall into. Besides, it is just plain rude.

I don't want to be called a democrat, a republican, a liberal, a conservative, a separatist, a loyalist, pro government, anti government, militia member, terrorist, religious, non religious, left wing, right wing, communist, socialist, Maoist, radical, pacifist, or protester! In fact, I don't want to be called any of these.

There's nothing wrong with people choosing these labels for themselves if that's what they want. That's their right! Any one and every one has that right...the right to choose, to be what they want to be, as long as it does not violate the rights of others.

So , don't label me because you think you know me. You don't know me, not the real me! Even the people that think they know me, don't really KNOW me! Can you understand what I'm trying to say? Am I making any sense? Does any of this ring true for you as well?

So, what am I? How do I think of myself? I think of myself as a simple man, a seeker of peace. a believer! If I had to choose a label for myself, I would say I'm just a common man with many of the same wants and needs and desires and dreams as most other common men.

I guess if you really want to label me, I can't stop you. Maybe I don't even have the right to try. All I can ask is that you label me something that is not negative, but positive! If you don't mind a suggestion, why not just do away with the labels all together?

Now, why don't we just get another cup of coffee, sit on the patio, and talk a bit. Maybe we can just call each other Friend! That's a label I'd be proud to wear!