Discussions of politics, religion, and race define people as classes irrespective of their individual differences. You are either one of "them" or you are not. You are a Republican, or a Democrat, or possibly a member of the Tea Party. You are white, black, Hispanic, or "another person of color". You are born into or convert to a religion of choice. However, if you are of a minority faith you are in need of "being saved" by converting to "their" way of believing. What is the necessity of labeling people, other than to differentiate "THEM" from "US"?
I need to point out that everyone has attributes, and to differentiate that from labels. Attributes are physical features we are born with or acquire, (e.g. deafness, blindness, or other physical disability). Gender is an attribute. Although sexual preference is not a physical attribute, I must state that I believe, based on evidence, that people are born with a sexual preference as they are with handedness, it is not a "choice". Race is an attribute even when it is "mixed", and it is not a function of skin color. Politics or religion, however, are not attributes but affiliations. When we define a group based on one or more physical attributes or affiliations in order to discriminate, those attributes or affiliations then become labels. In cases when I refer to a label instead of an attribute of affiliation, I show that in italics.
Labels negatively affect much of our daily lives by emphasizing our differences rather than our commonalities. Divisiveness caused by labels becomes a wedge between people and separates each of us from getting things done for the common good. It should NOT be a matter of what is best for ME or my class, but what is best for ALL. Each group or class who want those things which are only to their advantage, or demean others, are contributing to that wedge.
For example, Congress often gets bogged down in "what is best for my Party" that they lose sight of "what is best for the people of this country". Blacks or other minorities want THEIR RIGHTS even if it means reducing the rights of others. Often Christians and Muslims feel righteous to look down on Jews and others 'not of their faith' who won't get into Heaven unless they convert. Religions split into sects which often differ in minor ways. And Fundamentalist Muslims seem to want EVERYONE to follow Sharia Law and refuse to consider the laws of the United States or other Democracies. Even Sunnis and Shiites kill each other in the name of Allah. Religious wars are endemic throughout the world and throughout history.
The world is fractured into ideological pieces. As long as people are "labeled" based on their differences, this world will never see peace. It will always be "US" against "THEM".
