Stereotyping dehumanizes even when the person chooses the stereotype
There are people who classify themselves as “morning people” and those who classify themselves as “not morning people.” This self-classification allows them a built in excuse for not being at their best at a certain time of day; it also reinforces their ideas of who they are. By labeling themselves, they put themselves into a comfortable, or uncomfortable, box.
However, this labeling is a trap. The minute that a person puts words to something, that thing gains power. Words are powerful. If a child can describe what has happened to him or her, the words that he or she gives the situation help calm the child down. When a child throws a tantrum, it is important for that child to use his or her words to self-soothe.
Diseases like fibromyalgia and ADD/ADHD may have existed long before they were diagnosed, but without a name for that disease, no one was able to take advantage of their diagnosis. There were also no false diagnoses, or diagnoses that a doctor made up to placate an insistent patient. By giving these things a name, medical science is able to take advantage of those diagnosed with the conditions and sell them medications.
Positive labels can have a positive effect. Someone who thinks that he or she is a winner will make confident decisions with the expectation that the decision will lead to a win. However, these labels still provide inflexibility to the person’s ideas of self. While one loss may not be enough to destroy the person’s confidence, a string of losses will shake that same person to the core.
When a person applies a label as simple as “not a morning person” to him- or herself, it makes it easier to apply other labels – some more negative, derogatory and detrimental. People should not allow others to make broad statements based on stereotypes, and they should not do so themselves. Stereotypes dehumanize those to whom they are applied, and people face enough dehumanization in the world without adding their own to the process.
Sticks and stones break bones, but words hurt more
However, this labeling is a trap. The minute that a person puts words to something, that thing gains power. Words are powerful. If a child can describe what has happened to him or her, the words that he or she gives the situation help calm the child down. When a child throws a tantrum, it is important for that child to use his or her words to self-soothe.
Diseases like fibromyalgia and ADD/ADHD may have existed long before they were diagnosed, but without a name for that disease, no one was able to take advantage of their diagnosis. There were also no false diagnoses, or diagnoses that a doctor made up to placate an insistent patient. By giving these things a name, medical science is able to take advantage of those diagnosed with the conditions and sell them medications.
Positive labels can have a positive effect. Someone who thinks that he or she is a winner will make confident decisions with the expectation that the decision will lead to a win. However, these labels still provide inflexibility to the person’s ideas of self. While one loss may not be enough to destroy the person’s confidence, a string of losses will shake that same person to the core.
When a person applies a label as simple as “not a morning person” to him- or herself, it makes it easier to apply other labels – some more negative, derogatory and detrimental. People should not allow others to make broad statements based on stereotypes, and they should not do so themselves. Stereotypes dehumanize those to whom they are applied, and people face enough dehumanization in the world without adding their own to the process.
Sticks and stones break bones, but words hurt more
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