Limitless Monday – Dangers Of Labeling People

Limitless Monday – The dangers of labeling people

The other afternoon I was eating lunch with my co-workers when one of them couldn’t resist bringing up the taboo subject of politics. A topic he tells us he prefers to avoid. The conversation then inexplicably diverted to how people who have been convicted for crimes are labeled as criminals. This labeling even applies to individuals who have been convicted of crimes which are now decriminalized; a few examples include homosexuality, possession of cannabis, and operating an online gambling business. That ill-tempered conversation got me thinking about how society has a tendency to label people.

A successful CEO was once sentenced for running an online gambling site; he is by definition a convicted felon.

If the law changes a few years later to make such activities legal, then that person is still labeled a criminal.

Let’s say you are convicted of a crime in a corrupt sh*t hole country such as Tunisia for bouncing a check. Bouncing a check in most Arab countries is an imprisonable offense. You are immediately labeled a criminal. The question could be: are you a criminal to the average member of society outside of Arab nations?

This next subject is sure to get the blood boiling of certain members of our society. Should Donald Trump be labeled a criminal having been convicted in what many believe was a biased court?

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Unlike the UK, for example, US judges are appointed by the governing political party (there have been only 37 presidential appointments of Supreme Court judges rejected by the Senate in the history of the US). Despite the aggressive protestations of judges, they are bound to be biased towards the party that appointed them.

Judges are, of course, irritated by this accusation, however they can get as irritated as they like. It doesn’t take away from the fact that they are compromised. Just look at Letitia James’ deranged prosecution and some would say persecution of Donald Trump.

Anyway, this isn’t a political article. Although I may have strayed off my chosen path a little.

An escaped slave back in the 1800’s was considered a fugitive. Does that label still hold?

Labeling is dangerous.

He’s an alcoholic.

He’s bankrupt.

The courts, the media, and the public are not in a position to label. We like to put people in boxes or categories. It’s convenient for our simple brains. It’s also cruel. He’s a loser. Perhaps you’re a loser!

The fact is we should avoid labeling people. Yes, he was bankrupt, but that doesn’t define him. Nor does the fact he or she can’t control their alcohol intake or cheated on his wife or husband. A label is only a small part of a person’s character. He may have been convicted of a crime which he admitted to, but what about the fact he is a good father, a hard worker, and has endeavored to correct his past wrongs?

A person’s character has many facets. Focusing on a negative label is usually the work of the jealous, small minded, and the bitter amongst us. The previous sentence is not a label for these small minded cretins; it is a description that smothers their entire character.

If you have been labeled negatively, remember it’s something that has been given to you by people of weak character. It does not define you. You are much more. Your potential supersedes all the noise. Ignore worthless labels and push on.

Happy Monday!

Banner Image: Labels. Image Credit – Bruno Figueiredo