Labels, let’s talk about them…..and I’m not referring to the ones sewn to the inside of our clothes. I’m referring to the things we (or the world around us ) puts on us to try to define who we are. The reason for this post in to answer MANY questions we have been bombarded with about our son and his Autism diagnosis. We have been told that labeling him is a detriment to his future…..he will never be able to……. You fill in the blank because we have heard it all!
So let’s talk about labels. Labels have been around pretty much since the beginning of time. Labels are out traits, our ethnicity, our flaws. Let’s take the simplest HAIR COLOR.
We have three basic hair colors.
Blond
Brunette
Ginger (or red)
Scientists debate on the existence of black hair or if it just ranges of browns….so for the case of this example we will just deal with the three mentioned above. Now before I go any further I want you to understand that the labels I’m about to discuss are NOT My personal views but the views we in our culture seem to want to cultivate!
BLONDS- this seems to be the biggest label. We say things like “I had a blond moment”. We tell blond jokes. Even blonds embrace it and insist that “blonds have more fun” . We talk about the stupidity, lack of common sense, ditsy, space cadet and the list goes on and on and on……BUT. That is not true. I know more intelligent, bright blonds! I like my brother in law’s perspective on being a blond (he is one of those smart blonds I know) . He says “being blond is a hair color, inot a state of mind! ” isn’t that the truth. I know far more ditsy brunettes that blonds!
GINGERS (or Red). Now this is the second most highly labeled hair color. Red heads are believed to possess a mean streak. They are said to have anger problems….and are teased relentlessly. This was even more promoted by the Movie Problem Child! Now I think you can all tell by the pictures on the side bar that my dear hubby is a red head! I have friends who are red heads and not a single one fit the bill! They were all quiet, meek in spirit and a sweet personality!
BRUNETTES- this struck me as kind of funny! Mostly because I am one. It took some research to really figure out what negative stereotypes were tied with my group….so here were two……IMAGINELESS and UNTRUSTWORTHY. whoa…those two things don’t define any brunette I know. Untrustworthy in and of itself describes a fallen world, not a hair color.!
So I think it’s safe to say that those labels are pretty much inaccurate ! What about another popular labe?
Young and old. As of right now I’m caught somewhere in between, some days I feel young while other days I feel as though I have the knees of a 70 year old.
My point in all of this is to say that I don’t know anyone who says….well this is what the world thinks of me because I’m a brunette so I’m going to act this way! And I most certainly know plenty of young people who act wise beyond their years and older people who aren’t. And I know plenty of retired people who are busier and embrace change better than those who are younger, thinking they should be retired and do nothing, and insist on things being the way they used to!
Everyday all around us I watch people defy their labels. That 101 year old who still shovels his own walk. The blonde nuclear chemist. The Moabite woman who left her heathen country to follow after God! The blind girl who writes reads, crafts, and takes care of her family, the little autistic boy who is learning self control and reading.
Who cares if he ever has a government job. That doesn’t define his life…that’s just another label! Because I have a disability doesn’t mean my life is over! My quality of life is not based on what I can and cannot do. It’s about what I make of it. It’s about serving God and impacting lives! What most people don’t realize is that Edison, Einstien, Mozart and many othe”geniuses” Show signs of being autistic. I want my kids to be the best Tornado, Lady Bug, Weasel and Little Bean they can be. Not the best blondes and brunettes they can be. I don’t want them to grow up to be just like me, I want them to grow past me. Not the best soccer players, not the best artists or musicians. I want them to glorify God in who he created them to be….He created them to be far more than artistic, autistic, blind, or brunette. He created them to be His Children….no matter what they have or don’t have.
So my question to you is this…what labels do you need to defy? What are you saying they can’t do this because…….?
Or I can’t do this because…….?
Let me end with this verse
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Blessings
