#labels
- Feb 2, 2017
- 2 min read
We label people by first impressions or by what is displayed on the outside all the time.
Look at the picture below and what would you think of this person?
Most people would say "nerd" as their first thought.
What if I told you the guy in the photo is a student who has a learning disability? He's barely passing school because his teachers don't accommodate to his needs that well and he hates being called a "nerd".
Would you have a change of heart after hearing his story?
Would looks matter anymore?
Let's try this again. If you saw girl, what would your first thoughts be?
When I asked some of my friends, some of the responses they said included "blondie", "barbie", "dumb blonde", "escort for hire" or "****/*****".
What if I told you the girl's story?
[ Trigger Warning: Briefly mentions the words "kidnapped" and "sexual assault" (in context with the story). If these words cause you emotional distress, please skip over to the bolded questions down below.]
Let's call her Carolina to make things easier. Carolina's parents divorced at a young age and she ended up living with her mother. One day, her original father kidnapped her and sexually assaulted her. Carolina was traumatized by the experience but, when she grows up, she wants to create a non-profit that helps girls, who have experienced sexual assault, get counseling and therapy.
What if this was Carolina's story?
Would you have a change of heart?
Would looks matter anymore?
In reality, we have to stop boxing people into preconceived labels and, instead, get to know the person. Often times, first impressions include stereotypes, derogatory comments and/or negative perceptions that are far from the truth. We need to dig beneath the surface of what we see, for each individual we come across, because it's what's inside that counts!
Stop judging people and start accepting people!
Labels are for jars, not humans!
Thanks for reading! Come back next Thursday for another post!
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Read more/References:
Nerd Picture: https://calculatedbravery.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/nerd.jpg
Blond Girl Picture: www.pexels.com
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