Why Do Labels Matter? | How You See Me

We invited the participants of How You See Me to have a conversation about their experience and the themes brought up in the comments. In this episode they discuss why it matters that we have labels. White, black, Hispanic, American, skinny, LGBTQ, disabled... all if these labels and categories play an important role in our lives. What are your labels? How can we use labels to start a meaningful conversation?
We love to connect with YOU, no matter what language you speak. Help SoulPancake create captions in your language by clicking here:
bit.ly/27FqhGH
▃ ▅ ▆ SUBSCRIBE to SoulPancake ▆ ▅ ▃
bitly.com/SoulP...
THE SPOONFUL, our weekly dose of good stuff from across the web: ow.ly/t7K7p
MERCH STORE: bit.ly/soulpanc...
Buy our BOOK: book.soulpancak...
Follow us on FACEBOOK: / soulpancake
TWEET us at: / soulpancake
Visit our WEBSITE: soulpancake.com

[@NotAnotherKuromi]

"I don't give labels too much power, they are only a tiny sticky note on a much more complex human being."

[@Chhaia]

I think, people need labels to mentally belong to a certain group, to feel included and not alone. This helps of course, and it makes certain things easier, but it makes it also easier to differentiate and seperate and point out the differences between all those groups..

[@Arachnoscribe]

Chhaia: Yes, we're tribalistic creatures.

[@chris-dd6uq]

@Arachnoscribe You are..

[@lizatizitagobey4747]

What if I don't want to belong in a certain group. I'm adopted and have lived in Europe for as long as I was a baby. I also happen to be mixed so exactly where does that put me yk if we didn't have labels I would feel way more comfortable to live in this world

[@strangersmemories1632]

@@lizatizitagobey4747 I relate to you so much. I'm mixed race and I don't use many gender or sexuality labels because I don't fit in a box and honestly have no labels and being free to hang out and do whatever you want without feeling stuck in a certain space would release so much stress.

[@yuukikonno4014]

Thanks ❤

[@FilipMattson]

I used to have a habit of labeling myself. But I went through many labels in my life, so it wasn't an issue for me. Generally, I felt free. It's when other people labelled me that I felt trapped.

[@arixante5643]

Filip Mattson same here. The only thing I label myself as is me, because everything else traps me.

[@leatherback8]

I loved the lady's comment that if she didn't see colour, she would be erasing her husband's experiences of being a black man in America, ignoring what he's been through. Wow, well put

[@NotAnotherKuromi]

There is nothing wrong with labels, just peoples assumptions & stereotypes they think of based on those labels.

[@shamarbenton9899]

finally people always say that labels are the problem it makes me so mad

[@AnonymousGuy-ij3xi]

Exactly. There's negative and positive labels.

[@meaning1875]

I hate labels because it always comes with stereotypes but I also like to be identified through my experiences in life

[@HarleyQuinn-lf3st]

I get that!

[@gmar7836]

Exactly! I’m so sick of the “Karen” label. So damn degrading, especially toward women

Complexity!

[@heikika6078]

João Pedro Reis exactly. so smart.

[@Inannawhimsey]

Another in the fine series of sharing in the common human experience

[@lukasschwaab1482]

Found the channel today and instantly fell in love with it. It's like the more authentic version of the good side of Buzzfeed!

[@LightPixelle]

Change Diversity to Complexity. I love the fact that I can 100% relate to that idea.

[@Br0th3r7]

"It's how you stereotyped the labels, that's the issue" YES OMG YES

[@gmar7836]

STOP THE LABELING! It’s immature and it’s dividing us

[@eamadison49]

Labels divide and conquer - it’s the systems warfare and intention to keep control. If we keep dividing we will never unite. We are all unique human beings so lets start deciding how you want to spend it, as a label with constant problems or can you just stand up as the individual you are and stop trying to fit in or be understood?

[@AnonymousGuy-ij3xi]

Labels are just their definitions. There's good users for labels and bad ones. And every human isn't unique. We are what we consume whether it's mentally, what we surround our selves around or eat. It can be the same as usual, a difference, bad or good, and every choice does not have the same result, or what would be the point?

[@Kagiso22]

Humans evolved language in order to effectively communicate.. labels are just a product of that. We need labels to identify others and ourselves. What we should really be dealing with as posited in this video is how to avoid using labels as a means of division instead of simple tools of identification.

[@1412mariLU]

I don't really understand why you shouldn't ask people where they're really from. I personally love the fact that I'm not "just" Swiss but also have other roots. Sure, you might have grown up in the US and lived there your entire life. But if your parents or even your grandparents came from a different culture it had an impact on you that you can be proud of.

[@arianac5974]

1412mariLU but imagine for example that you appear to be Asian/Latinx etc but when asked where you're from you say 'I am from Chicago' and they ask again so you say 'I am an American' and they still pester you about it. Some people may not feel that connection to their roots if their families didn't still in it for them. It's all about being respectful of someone's identity.

[@1412mariLU]

ari c Well, that's true. I guess the situation with immigrants is a bit different in Europe than in the States, too. I might me wrong but I feel like there are more stigmas in the US when it comes to racial differences. People always react well when I talk about my ethnical background.

[@arianac5974]

1412mariLU I'd agree. I live in Ireland and people are often interested about where I come from , born in South America , dads from NY , grew up in Europe etc. But when I am in the States it's a completely different story.

[@1412mariLU]

ari c One of my grandfathers was from Suriname, one of my grandmothers was from Germany and the other half is Swiss. But fortunately I never had to explain myself in the US.

[@saraalouh219]

In my opinion, labels are a necessary evil. Humans are curious and we want to know everything, getting rid of labels is entirely unattainable (at least for the foreseeable future). So until then, we have to own our labels. One label will never sum up anyone, but it does make them feel part of something bigger. For now until bigotry is completely and entirely gone, we need labels to unify.

[@bruhkent6895]

labels are great! just dont use them in a negative way and they wont *get in the way*

[@ironicusername5503]

Do you still have this opinion even 4 years later?

[@kencoleman5007]

To quote Bono: "And we love to wear a badge, a uniform And we love to fly a flag But I won't let others live in hell As we divide against each other And we fight amongst ourselves"

[@cheekiereynolds]

I think labels need to be destroyed PERIOD!!! People are people that's it!

[@thefreshprincessofeverywai4302]

Me too I don't like labels especially ones u can't prove

[@jacouriwhite9252]

Exactly

[@drillgirl718]

labels are the problem, it brings division, we are all humans, this body is but a vehicle, once you categorize yourself or adopt others label of you as your own label, thats when the problems begin,

[@elizabethharttley4073]

When i lived in Hawaii i became aware of how locals love their mixed up ethnicities and cultures. It was eye opening to see the 'labels' be embraced. Also i experienced prejudice and racism another eye opener.

[@ashleyconley9165]

I honestly do believe that people should have labels, not because they are of different ethnicity or color but should be judged by their personality. Personality makes you who you are.

[@starberrysweetee1495]

I want to talk to all of these people, such deep thinkers with such beautiful ideas

[@june7540]

"diversity to complexity"that. was. beautiful.

[@erich1593]

maybe we can just be confident in our skin and encourage kindness instead of being hung up on people who have mistreated you.

[@lukeystukes]

Erich B in relation to which point and what context can you give behind this?

[@corndog3164]

The more I learn about how to think about our diversity and labels, the more depressed I become. I've labeled myself as a white American for most of my life. To be honest, I actually thought "American" was a certain race growing up...I mean, No one told me any different. I had to learn and re-think what race was. When I started dating my now fiance, who has a background of both French and Mexican decent, I began to realize I had no idea where I came from, or what my race is.That honestly made me really sad. I feel like I've been robbed of something...This is why I think labels are important. It helps us feel loved and connected. It's something really cool we humans can share with one another. His family has shown me more beauty and joy than I would have ever hoped to find. Even though I can't really claim their culture as my own... I am very proud to be a part of his family.

[@izebelle8200]

Humans need labels to understand reality. The unknown and complex seems dangerous to the human mind. We have a need for knowing and explanation. If anything, I agree with what they are saying. I think complexity is a good term.

[@Marblesandbox]

Can I proud of being a cisgender straight white man?

[@lukeystukes]

Justin Howlett nope, nobody should be proud of their race. Having pride in something you did nothing to achieve makes you worse than somebody who is proud of their collection of participation trophies. you can however be proud of knowledge gained from your experience as a (insert group).

[@WhatIsItToBurn]

be proud of your actions, not of something you had no control over :)

[@Esen99153]

YES!

[@NotAnotherKuromi]

+Lord Chumptington But black, trans & gay people have no control over those things either...

[@lukeystukes]

Sammy Ariel so... the point is pride over something you haven't accomplished is wrong. black pride, gay pride, white pride, its all equally stupid.

[@WhatIsItToBurn]

labels are just ways to describe each other, they are meaningless but still show how unique we are.

[@raiderfrankdatank]

Wish we all could think this way. Pride is strong in our country

[@alicebackstrom946]

The black woman is so intelligent, thoughtful and beautiful. She speaks in a way that is so comforting but at the same time very powerful and she is a role model that so many people should have.

[@Epiphalactic]

Some labels can have their place, but most of the time in this society people are just separating themselves out into more and more arbitrary groups of people with less and less people in them, and using their label as not only a kind of badge of honor but as a reason to other the other people. Like with the racism comment, how would you know they were racist? Not because of the label but because of how they acted and the things they said. You don't need a label to find out if somebody is racist because most of the time people are going to do something to ensure that the negative labels do not apply to them at least outwardly. So that label being on the table only comes after you already know what's going on and it only applies to whoever you can tell about that person if they believe you. Saying I am an American does not mean that you can use that to ignore the issues that America faces, it means that we are diverse and yes there are racist people here and yes there are sexist people here, yes these negative things exist but there are also great people here of all different walks of life and we are supposed to be a melting pot of ethnicities and cultures. But people want to take a small group of people who say terrible things and act in a terrible way and say because they exist we have to label each and every person so we know who they are and what they are. Labels are not for other people it is for yourself you want to label yourself as something to include yourself into certain groups that's it. Calling other people or labeling other people, does nothing to help the situation it does nothing to change the racism or whatever you can call somebody racist all you want but if you just keep calling them racist, all you will do is dilute the power of the word to them to where they no longer care and maybe proud to say it. Labels just divide us. Yes even though there are people who do things and say things we don't like and things we find reprehensible you should be able to sit in a room with them and get along with them. Because getting along and talking and manufacturing a relationship is how you change their mind. You don't do so by trying to reason with them as to why something that has been indoctrinated into their mind at a young age or something they developed as a result of something else is wrong. They may know it's wrong they may understand that disliking somebody because of the color of their skin is kind of irrational and stupid. But that doesn't mean that it will stop them. Now it's of course nobody's job to go around making sure that they manufacture relationships with racist so that a racist person can see that oh you know that person of A different race is okay and maybe I was wrong. Nobody needs to go out and do that but that is going to be the way to get the best results. Like the guy who was going to KKK meetings so that he could become friends with people there and converted many people from members of the literal kkk, to outspoken opponets of it. I think people just want to label other people and put them inside of this box and say well I'm a mentally ill gay binary translobster and they are a cis-white Evangelical christian, we could never come eye to eye, and give them this reason to hate this person just based off of something because maybe that religion has something that doesn't agree with the lifestyle that person is living. Some labels are important. But the majority of the labels we use in this day and age are used with the sole intent to either belong or other.

[@Californiansurfer]

I work in Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Texas. People think I am from India or Asian but their mouths drop open when I say my heritage is Mexican. Breaking stereotypes in the south. Downey California

[@unpelagato]

I don't really know if its that complex, race and culture are just two different things. I think we need to understand what that really means and what it will mean in the future to understand ourselves and what our children will experience.

[@e.g.o.m.e]

My Extremely liberal school is forcing me into watching this whole 12 episode series

[@iloveanimals7161]

We dont need labels,but we get them :(

[@ThePhilosopher-ww6jt]

Labels are stupid and meaningless because everyone is their own unique person. Once you start to see someone as part of a group and not as an individual you begin to restrict your ability to understand who they really are.

[@katkatCSI]

Labels create distance, they do not bring people together. Really get a life, this is very tiring

[@sarahjohnson6876]

We're not born racist, that's what the world taught us. But we can change, let's make a difference!

[@RaaikDragar]

3:55 (gentle inspiring music)

[@towhatdegree]

That one old man who sat there with his arms crossed the whole time looked salty

[@shirejr]

"People, We have created you all male and female and have made you nations and tribes so that you would recognize each other. The most honorable among you in the sight of God is the most pious of you. God is All-knowing and All-aware." Qur'an Verse (49:13) - English Translation This Qur'anic verse explains this whole discussion in a very simple way, We are different because God created us this way, so that we know our origin and families to help each other not to harm each other.

[@alexblack534]

Of course they do! Any of that "love has no labels" is just a lie.

[@alvaroalas2450]

it's funny how this topic came about because people that label others don't want to be labeled themselves because they're hypocrites

[@brianmoon13]

This is such a great discussion topic. Loves it!

[@larrywolf2509]

*(cringe)* I see people. I see individuals. My color is not my achievement. It's nothing to be proud of. It's a roll of the dice that's as meaningless as my eye color. This video only shows me people too weak to get over it. They're hung up. They're *WEAK.* And that's the essence of identity politics. Weakness. I was born on a reservation. My people did things differently than other people. Someone else sees me differently? That's they're problem because they are *WEAK*. I don't need a label because I am a *STRONG* individual. I am my achievement and I am the sum of my achievements, not the look of my packaging.

[@lukeystukes]

in an ideal world, identity is meaningless and progress is valued above all. I agree with the underlying result but disagree with the message.

[@dooseyboy]

lucas rolando we should all just mush together to create one race

[@lukeystukes]

dooseyboy nah, its more nuanced than that. If you do not use race as a vehicle of judgement that is fine. If you treat people of a different race or gender to you differently based on these things, you are a horrible person. Though I disagree with the whole "become an amorphous goo" thing you propose because people have preferences (and that's fine).

[@cyrusmontanez9853]

lucas rolando I disagree completely in that identity should be meaningless. If everyone was the same life would be boring.

[@lukeystukes]

Cyrus Montanez you don't get what I am saying. I do not care about identity, your or anybodies. I am not saying "everybody should be the same" more like "I do not care about your identities, what do you have to add to the conversation?".

[@Arachnoscribe]

In my opinion, the absence of identity is not idyllic... and the concept of 'progress' must be defined in order to enable a meaningful discussion.

[@AnonymousGuy-ij3xi]

Labels are just the definition, nothing more or less. There's good and bad and life is more about what happened to you, it's more about what you're going to do about it. For example if i lost my job I'll get another one, if someone is racist i'll stay away if they can't be helped, i won't let them get to me. If someone says where are you really from I'm going to say that sounds racist and i got to go.

[@arianamalan82]

I have started labellig myself as a non-nativeEnglish teacher because people in the country I'm actually living do it, but they do it fro discrimating all non-native English teachers. Sad.

[@felip3442]

I feel like for appearance labels matter, but for sexuality no

[@bungbess]

Bhineka Tunggal Ika = We are different but we are one

[@wawawiwa___]

labels are a spook

[@dainsakine4925]

I think be progress don't are the key for erradicate racism, i think the problem is the social medias that show pathetics lifestyles.

[@danielwalker4625]

Love your edit :D

[@btvcast]

it's ok to label yourself but it's not OK to label others.

[@WhatIsItToBurn]

No, it's fine either way. I labelled the black woman as black and a woman, pretty sure that's fine!

[@btvcast]

Lord Chumpington There are other labels that people slap onto others that are wrong.

[@WhatIsItToBurn]

Well, it depends. Labels are used just as a description. If the description is wrong, for example, if someone was to call me Asian or a child, then yes they are wrong...

[@btvcast]

Lord Chumpington That's my point. I'm not sure we should all wear billboards of what we think we are so that people can label us. having an open dialogue is one thing. I just felt this was a broad stroke for labels is all. The message is fine. However most people who label are labeling negatively or uninformed. It becomes more of an assumption instead of allowing those to say who they are.

[@Rodeolover]

my teacher made me watch this

[@inescaraballo3702]

love this so much

[@finnmacf5552]

Powerful...

[@dannnn98]

Actually like my cause it part of me and I'm part of it as well I'm part of other ones too. I like the fact if when questions only with a open mind and respect of course; cause words do hold power rather we not want to say it or not. It can inspired others to rise or bring you down. Especially when it come to people we know and trust or our role models we inspired to be or sampley pass by; stronger, better or reaching higher than they did.

[@ZeinaIan]

It's never bothered me when people ask me where I'm really from I mean it's not a good way to word it but really it's just asking your cultural background and I'm proud to say I'm Australian but Ii'm also Kurdish they are both a part of my identity.

[@mikelowell1286]

I love this material ;)

[@Zombihilanth]

Labels are actually a good thing, scientifically speaking. There is an evolutionary advantage to labeling things or assuming something about someone, something or someplace.

[@jezelle7420]

Well done, SoulPancake

[@tamatoashiny6948]

I like being who I am and I'm proud of where my family is from but I think it's cool to see how other people live the difference between our cultures the way we dress to how we live how we do our hair the different variety of foods and skin color i don't know why people choose to be negative towards someone just because they don't like their hair or skin color it's stupid God put all of us in this earth 🌏 in different colors but we are still the same not one person is better than the other

[@camella-inreallife]

the word diversity should be changed to complexity.. that was awesome :)

[@AnonymousGuy-ij3xi]

I thought so too at first, but complex sounds like a hard problem

[@pacloward]

So... when you say you're all Americans, does all of America buy low froth soy lattes at Starbucks? Cause that's all I see in this video.

[@ellynthegreat2023]

deep and powerful 💪

[@Khajakkodian]

Just wondering, whats the name of the track at the background??

[@tiffc5659]

What is the name of the guy at 1:54, does he have instagram?

[@emmanueln-t762]

deep

[@capturedbyrafy]

Love

[@keric3673]

Where are the people with disability in this and the previous video?

[@davemitchell6749]

Just trying to understand the viewpoint... "We are all the same, but it's through the differences that you get there." So you are saying labels point to the differences so we can unify? Instead of diversity, why not call it unity and look for those things that unify us in the first place? We all are human, and we all have experiences that make us the same as someone else and we all have aspects that make us different. We all have feelings. We all live our lives. We all eat, breathe, get tired. None of us are without our issues. We all have pre-conceived biases (good and bad). Why do I have to see the one lady's husband as a black male? Why can't I relate to him as another male, then worry about race? The one lady says she is proud to be a Chicana. That is great, and worthy of pride, but isn't that just a small part of "who" she is? What is a better label: Chicana, black, white, gay, male, female, etc, or to be known as a compassionate friend, a loving parent, or one who helps others live a better life?

[@Coddd_spl]

Um.... Look I hate this, In my mind I have solutions but I have to sit and wait until I am of age to vote. Look it is hard to watch the world crumble before your eyes yet this is my picturesque bedside view that I awake to every morning. I may be only technically a teen but I have seen what this corrupted system has accomplished. (That will be all)

[@stevenscovill14]

I'm sorry for you all. I'm 65 and Native American and my Grand ma only spoke Spanish my Grand Pa was Scottish. Didn't have all these problems you all having. It was better now it got worse. They dividing you children . Be smart They made it worse by saying it's getting worse. That get something out of it.

[@beneveche]

what about JEWS???

[@waitnotable]

why jews not included in any of those videos ??? let me guess they are not facing any problem.

[@slumpedmike9732]

all these comments are long paragraphs. did they say write an essay? Noooooo

[@fearlessway]

first world problems.

[@Razmeez]

Big Chungus

[@fractalcat3696]

postmodernism at it's finest! sickening.

[@puremonk216]

:)

[@emmanueln-t762]

5th comment

[@danielk3919]

Eco chamber of pseudo intellectuals.

[@lilbuddy127]

this is wack