Labels.

How do you label yourself? They are powerful influences in y our life. Label yourself as you choose, before a stranger puts one on you. What causes society to label others. It is second nature to all of us and we don’t even recognize it. I never liked putting a label on myself. Simply because ever since I can remember I never fit the mould of just one. Regardless of this, I must acknowledge the existence of them, and the challenges that they have against me to ‘fit’ in them, and how then mold and impact my concept of myself. Of me.
How do I label myself? *full birth name*. 24. Female. Can we stop there or must I continue? 5 foot 8.5 inches. Curvy. You want more don’t you? Africa, American…African-American? Bi…Lesbian….Queer? Graduate, Degree, Career, Educated? Political, Selective, Democrat.

I was never African enough…South African or Ghanaian…. I was never American enough…even African-American…it depends on who is asking….who I am talking to. Bi…to make explaining things to society easier…but am I really? Queer….for those of us that don’t feel like any label actually fits us…but I am too OCD to be vague. I need answers…right now…fluid. But am I?
Graduate…Degree…Career…Educated…I am…but what makes one person more educated than another. An individual might think they are educated, but have not gone through the ‘traditional’ education system. What makes me any less educated then they are?

The trick is to choose your words carefully—to be absolutely certain that you only allow your label to say what you want it to say. Why is that so damn hard? How do I live up to the labels that I make for myself? Do I have to? Do I need to? Do I even want to?