Re-evaluating Labels: are they appropriate or unnecessary?
Labels are used to help define people in society. They work to categorize and create movements to include anyone who relates on a specific level. When we give people a title or description, they become more easily understood. Yet, as labels help form communities and are highly empowering, they can also be incredibly harmful.
The pressure of leading a movement or fitting within a specific label's confines is more heightened than ever today. Even the idea of having no label or existing within the margins is somehow categorized. For example, non-binary people who choose not to identify with a specific gender represent those who choose not to conform to certain societal standards.
One of the most controversial fields that have perpetuated the use of harmful labels is the body-positive community. The movement revolves around embracing all bodies, especially plus-sized figures, which have been criticized for years. The harm in the title comes from the extreme pressure influencers face from the public and the media. Labeling a person as “body positive” or “confident” for simply existing in a body that doesn’t fit the beauty standard can be offensive.
TikToker and influencer Remi Bader have faced this pressure and claimed she never asked to be the face of the body-positive movement. Bader, who creates realistic clothing hauls, also suffered from an eating disorder due to her experiences. Lizzo has had a similar experience in which she consistently faced criticism for her body and was thrown into the role of being a body-positive figure in the media.
Other labels like ‘queer’ and ‘gay’ can also categorize people in a harmful way. Although, reclaiming these labels has encouraged a sense of community among those who identify with the labels and the LGBTQ+ community in general. There is often pride in identifying with a collective, especially when it recognizes trailblazing individuals and the feeling of normalcy rather than standing out.
When thinking about when it’s actually relevant to use specific labels, it takes an understanding of context and culture. The recent Super Bowl has defined this controversial idea, with the media coverage highlighting the fact that both quarterbacks were Black men. Being the first to do something as a community member deserves recognition. However, using a label to define success can also perpetuate stereotypes and biases, especially regarding race, sexual orientation, and even our bodies.
Labels shouldn’t define who we are, but they often do. Whether you choose to embrace the titles that society deals with or reject them in the name of individuality, the decision is entirely in your hands.
Strike out,
Matilda Pollard
Boca Raton
Matilda Pollard is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. She is a proud Pisces who loves all things creative. Her hobbies include trying new foods and watching classic rom-coms. You can reach her at mpollard280@gmail.com
