Labels Aren't Necessarily What You Think
This is going to sound weird coming from someone who actually has the words "existential reactionary libertarian narcissistic absurdist" in the title of their blog, but I would very much like it if people would STOP using labels. I mean it. Stop.
Because I have yet to see anyone in this big ol' blogosphere use labels correctly. They aren't supposed to limit your thought or your action. You needn't fit every single trait typically associated with a label to use it nor must you use it if you don't want to even if you fit most of the traits. I don't reject the idea that the universe was initially begun by a "god" who wandered away, but I'm not a deist. Yet I believe in universal healthcare, education and taxes, but I AM a libertarian. Where will the madness stop?
Kit at Stuff that Bugs Smart People in a recent post mentions that she "wouldn't be a feminist if [she] didn't disagree to some extent with every other feminist out there...it's part of our handbook" and while I know it was meant humourously I find it a little insulting. It seems to be saying--in a feminist post, no less--that women cannot all agree and that's because they're women and feminists. Well, of COURSE they can't. Women are not just women. They are a race, an age, a career, a fiscal "class", a political affiliation...but so are men. That's why there are people like Stephen Harper AND people like Gandhi. NOONE agrees on EVERYTHING. (Including, apparently, what it takes to be a feminist. Sorry, Kit.)
So, let me change my initial plea. Use labels, often, as many as you like. Because the more you use the easier it is to express what you truly believe...just don't expect anyone else to use them the same way. : )
