(no subject)

New Thing(s) I Learned:	The phrase 'Sweetness and light' dates back to dead Greeks and refers to the products of bees
Reading Material:	Longitudes & Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11 by Thomas L. Friedman
	The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization by Thomas L. Friedman
	The Middle East by Bernard Lewis
	+ asst. romance novels and children's books

I don't much like labeling when it comes to people. When I would see people being very possesive of their labels I would equate it with people becoming attached to their captors. But, I've had to rethink things a bit. I read something that made me realize that we must have some label even if it is just: EXISTS. People need to have a sense of who they are, and apparently they like to sum it up in a few catchy words so that they don't forget. So... my problem with the label thing must be something else entirely.

• I guess I don't like it when people think pasting on any label can make them automatically superior. Taken to extremes this leads to the most horrific things possible.
• I don't like it when people think that they own a label and should be able to decide who wears it. If people who wear a label are persecuted, it must be easy to say, 'I didn't ask for this label, but I certainly have paid dearly for it. It is mine, and I don't want any old so-and-sos cheapening it.' Or, 'Most everyone I meet seems to think this label is the most important part of me, they must be right. I'd better not see anyone fiddling with it or handling it carelessly or there's going to be trouble.' I can understand, but I still think it is unfortunate. Bad stuff rolling down hill. :(
• I really don't like it when people paste labels on other people. Unfortunately, people usually don't waste the glue and paper unless they have bad intentions.