Rejecting Labels
Former child star Raven Symone was recently interviewed by Oprah Winfrey for her show’s segment entitled “Where are they now?” the interviews intention is to give the public an update on what currently is going in Simone’s life. How her life has changed since her time as a child star, and some of her future plans. The interview also touched on her sexual identity; it has recently been introduced to the public that she involved in a lesbian relationship, and she has kept that part of her life very private. I will be the first to say that I am a lifelong fan of Symone, and I completely understand where she is coming from, but I think that her approach was ALL wrong. Once words come out they cant be put back in.
Symone shed light on the good and bad in her interview, and I feel like she should have said that all labels should be accepted or that they should be put on equal playing fields. Symone shared that she does not want to be labeled, and that is perfectly ok. But what has everyone in a frenzy is the comment that followed her first statement. Symone says, “I’m tired of being labeled,” she continues to say “I’m an American; I’m not an African-American. I’m an American.” And honestly no one was expecting that response, it even blindsided Winfrey.
I do agree that as a country we should work on building each other up instead of the constant tear down. But for Symone to say that she doesn’t even want to labeled as an “African American” just “American” is putting her foot in her mouth, because just in case it wasn’t known “American” is still a label. So it’s not that you don’t want to be labeled; it seems that you just don’t want your label.
In my opinion Symone wasn’t and still is not wrong for feeling the way she feels, because everyone is entitled to feel however he or she wants. No matter what anyone says, labels do hold some sort of importance. They may not always be positive but they matter. Without them, the world would be floating around in this “gray area.” Labels bring distinction and distinction brings the world color.
Now this is just my opinion, but I would much rather be label a “Colorful crazy flying basket case Princess unicorn” than be boring and gray just like the rest of the world.
