As people continue to apply their labels to any one (sometimes seems like EVERYONE else), it makes me wonder, 'Who identified the label to begin with? And what are the guidelines?'
For example, there are "different, disordered, dysphoric and even defective" that have been applied to me and others I know.
"Different" I can centainly understand and don't find particularly offensive. In fact, I think we could safely say we're ALL different in some form (at least according to the labels) male-female; tall- short; physically challenged- physically gifted; mentally challenged-mentally gifted.
And to further drive stakes into the hearts of labels, here are statistics I discovered, highly accurate according to me because I actually researched them on the internet. If you have better numbers or more accurate statistics, please share ASAP, before everyone figures out I'm really not that smart.
7-10% of people born are left- handed, mostly male- how about a form for employment that says please inform us if you are a male who writes left handed. I think that would certainly be considered descrimination, wouldn't it? And, by the way, left-handedness is determined in the womb, and a higher than "normal" concentration of testosterone present during pregnancy can increase chance of left-handedness. Whoa! Back me up a minute- did I hear in there it was actually possible to be BORN left-handed? You mean it wasn't some unacceptable fetish activity a child developed, simply to annoy teachers and parents? Hmmm... BORN THAT WAY. Simply because 90-93% of the population is right-handed and most activities are far more awkward for a right-hander to attempt left-handed, it's a natural leap to equate left-handedness with awkwardness. What kind of brilliant thinking is that? Just to follow up on that, I've had friends who were left-handed, far more athletic than I, far more intelligent than I, and certainly with far superior penmanship! And I never gave it a thought that they were "different." Oh yes, and they were actually BORN that way.
According to MENSA, a respected group of individuals whose common distinction is an incredibly high IQ (should we lobby to have than changed to woMENSA? (Just a thought, go ahead and slap me- and if anyone suggests it was my idea, I'll certainly deny it.) Back to MENSA after that unfortunate digression- people who test over 175 IQ are considered "genius", but only about 2% of the population can claim that. I'm convinced I could have done better on the IQ test if my smart friends had only let me use their study notes. Now, here we go again, if only 2% of people have that kind of IQ, wouldn't that certainly be considered "different" (at least than the majority) Different turns to "gifted" in most cases when describing those with genius- better not call that one a defect or some genius will lobby for a new statute, the "Calling of Those With Higher Than Normal Intellect Unacceptable" law. Even I know that's CTWHTNIU (thought you could fool me, eh?)
Now for a little fun stuff- according to Gallup, 21% of men are gay and 22% of women are lesbian- say what?!!! Even most conserative of conservative experts say over 10%, but majority of Americans polled figure over 20%. More than the geniuses? More than the left-handers? Combined! And we're considered outcast??? At the very least, for those counting label zones anyway, gays and lesbians should move up at least 2-3 rungs on the "how different are we really" ladder.
I've long since figured out it's possible to find a statistic, draw a fancy pie graph chart (no whipped cream or berries on this one) to present a notion that something is unusual, undesirable or even implied to be "wrong."
I don't buy it, not even with the incredibly deflated penny I still carry in my pocket for no discernable reason. But I do offer a suggestion to all- next time you see a person and wonder how you might label them, try "a person" on for size. You'll be amazed how good it can feel :-)
Love, Kimi 8/11/2010
to question the unquestionable well I liked the whole article I liked the logical and analitical thought process behind it I liked the offside humor that created levity and i understood ....it was well written.... I tend to entertain idea that she thinks along the same lines as me I just wish I could write or communicate as well as KImi
ReplyDeleteYou are twisted - and I love the logic & humor. My friend, Tracilyn, and I had a similar discussion about being "different" (without the researched details or humor) and concluded that we are all made in the "Image of God." Therefore, instead of all the negative words (different, etc) we have chosen to refer to us as "Variations." Just part of the people tapestry that God uses to make this world what it is. And wouldn't it be a less interesting place if we all came from the same two molds, had the same skills and talents and thought alike - boring. I enjoy the variations.
ReplyDeleteFabulous!! I have never been real keen on labels. The only value I can see in labels is for a beginning and/or common focus for conversation. Beyond that, all they do in my experience is get in the way and people allow themselves to get locked in to the way too often one-sided, narrow and inaccurate description for the label! Wake up! Think outside the box people!!
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