I suspect it will go all the way back to when mankind first had language. One of the definitions is "a brief descriptive phrase or term given to a person, group, school of thought, etc". Or at least to when differences in people started getting noticed. As people are all so very different we see labels applied at a very small difference in personal circles but when you apply it to groups the same thing is happening.

It's certainly not new and, sadly, I doubt it will go away for some time to come. Some labels are useful though. It's when they get used and a stereotype is attached the damage really starts and can become offensive. Labelling and judging people on those labels can be a very rocky path to ruin.

I also think that the fact we are (supposedly) social animals that mixed loyalties play a part. So many people feel the need to belong to something but then forget they are themselves individulas. That it is okay to hold an opinion that is not like the next person's in your group without being disloyal to that group. In some instances, obviously, it would be impossible to stay with a given group if you held an opposing opinion to that group's core system, so your choice would be to go along with them and stay or leave and feel isloated.

The 'group drive', herd instinct/mentality, is very strong in lots of people. It is part of who they are. Trying to find a balance between your own internal belief/value system and remaining friends with others within your group can be hard. Lots manage to run with the hares and hunt with hounds but there comes a time one may need to make a stand. Loyalty can be a strong driving force within sociality.

Of course, many of us label ourselves too. We give descriptions of what we like, what we are into, what we believe in, etc., etc.. It's really hard to get rid of labels completely. They can be useful tools or extremely destructive.

It's not the labels that are bad. It's how we choose to utilise and allow them to affect us within social situations individually and as a group. IMHO!

Labels

label your T-shirt label your shoes
label your breakfast label your tins
label the mousse that you put in your hair
label your khaki utility wear
label your inside your outside
your back and your front
smile to my face but think I'm the runt
of a litter best left unbred and unseen
label the label, but don't label me

Lisa Matthews


Don't Label Me!

Don't Judge Me

Just abouts sums it up

mp