The saying “once you label me you neglect me” can be interpreted in many different ways. Some may say that labels have cancelled out who they really are and replaced them with a word, a word most popularly known to society – Gay, Muslim, slut, fat, anorexic, black, white, Latina, Asian…. Now, how many of you have been labelled, whether with one of the several I’ve named above or just in general? So why exactly does society feels the need to be perpetually labeling people thereby negating what makes humanity fascinating. I will tell you the answer to that. We are scared, scared to see the real person behind that label. Underneath that hijab, or inside all that cellulite, or beneath that melanin, they will find a beautiful human being capable of accomplishing more than they will ever imagine. That is what makes us fascinating – our intrinsic complexity and differences. But how do I possibly explain to kids that stopping the stigma is really stigmatized, how do I tell them not to throw 6s and 9s like its fine, drop the gang signs and read between the lines. Read and see and understand what it really means to be me, to be yourself, because you are not defined by a stupid label 

So, here’s my question to everyone: what label do you feel you truly identify with? As far as I am concerned, labels suck, they cut like a knife. I’ll tell you a story. Take a look at a school, not too far from you, a boy over there who won’t stop crying, what a fag. Or hey let’s take a look at that mom over there who won’t stop complaining, she’s such a moron. And let’s not forget about that Muslim girl over there who is acting crazy, she’s probably a terrorist. Boy, those labels cut like a knife. But here’s what we don’t know, that boy over there supposedly being a fag is in an abusive foster care home and just got separated from his siblings. Remember that mom, yeah the one who is a complete moron, well she has 4 children to take care of, no husband and is flat out broke. Oh and let’s not forget the Muslim girl who as we speak has a bipolar disorder and is being tormented by bullies at her school. So yeah go ahead and call her psychotic, because she sure is a terrorist. Who is she? A Muslim, but don’t shift in your seats, I promise she won’t blow up or whatever. I mean their religion does value peace. No, really, and it was Muslims who gave you the concept of daily hygiene, no matter how dirty you think they are. They gave you the knowledge of the stars, and they gave you your numbers, they gave you your universities, and spices and coffee but all you see are the Muslims. On the news, that yell “Allah Akbar!” Did those words make you nervous? Do you even know what those words mean? “Allah Akbar”, “God is great”. And you agree right? Wait no, not right, wrong, because it came out of her Muslim mouth.

It’s a simple question really, who am I? I got to be honest, I’ve been labelled just like so many others. Humans who have been labelled or are still being labelled are all around us. So, whenever someone asks, “oh gosh, who are you?” I go into a knee jerk response of “black, African, girl”. These labels do not define me, they do not rule me. You see, there can be good labels, and there can be bad labels. Let me define that for you. A label is a small piece of paper, plastic, fabric or similar material attached to an object. So I ask again “what label do you feel you are truly define with?” My answer is simple, my name. The one given to me at birth, the one I live with every day and the one I will proudly live with until the day I die, because once you label me you neglect me.

By Nkolaka F.