Labels: Right, Wrong, or Simply Real?
By Lady Flava
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about labels—how they shape how we see ourselves, how others see us, and how the world either welcomes or excludes us based on them.
It started with a conversation that reminded me how sensitive labeling can be. I had been reading up on ADHD and Autism, genuinely wanting to understand people better. The more I read, the more I saw connections—ways these traits might affect how someone navigates life or work. But I quickly learned that even when our intentions are rooted in care, talking about labels—especially when they’re not our own—can become a slippery slope.
Some labels are shared openly, even proudly. Others are kept close, not because they are shameful, but because people fear being misunderstood, judged, or reduced.
And yet—labels are everywhere.
Last Week We Celebrated Pride
I was part of honoring Pride Week, helping to pass out rainbow bracelets and pins across several clinics. It was beautiful to witness so many people wear their identities out loud.
LGBTQIA+. Every letter a label. A flag. A form of visibility.
It made me pause—how we live in a world where labels are both celebrated and criticized. Depending on the setting, you can be praised for claiming one, or penalized for mentioning another.
So I ask again:
When is a label empowering, and when is it inappropriate?
Labels I’ve Lived With
I am Japanese and German.
Depending on who you ask or where I am, I’ve been labeled “white.”
I’m a Christian. A believer. But my walk may not always mirror the expectations placed on me by traditional faith communities.
I’m turning 65 soon. That means I am officially a senior citizen by government standards. A label that comes with benefits… and sometimes assumptions.
I’ve also been called a caregiver, an artist advocate, an emotional support for others.
Some of those labels I embrace fully. Some I’ve outgrown. Some were never mine to begin with.
Labels Can Open Doors—or Close Them
Labels can be a language of connection. They help us find community, access resources, and name our experiences.
But they can also limit us—becoming boxes that others force us into without asking who we really are.
They can help us be seen, or cause us to be dismissed.
The real issue isn’t the label itself—it’s how it’s used, and who is using it.
What I’ve Learned
If someone claims a label for themselves, honor it.
If someone shares something personal with you, protect it.
If you find yourself tempted to label someone else, even from a place of empathy—pause. Ask if it’s helpful. Ask if it’s yours to say.
The World is Full of Labels
Race. Gender. Religion. Orientation. Diagnoses. Politics. Age. Titles.
We are all walking around carrying labels—some chosen, some assigned.
The goal is not to live label-free. The goal is to live with intention, to speak with respect, and to allow others the space to define themselves.
So What’s Right? What’s Wrong?
I may not have all the answers, but here’s what feels true to me:
- Labels can be tools for healing when used with care.
- They can also hurt when used carelessly or without consent.
- And just because something is said with good intentions, doesn’t mean it lands that way.
I Am Susan. I Am Lady Flava. I Am Human.
And that is more than enough.
How has the use of Labels impacted your life?
LadyFlava “Susan” of LadyFlavaNews
Lady Flava News 