Drop the labels

Frankly, I am fed up with all the labels. Why on earth are we required to check a box on a job application regarding our ethnicity? Why does it matter? Can you do the job or can’t you? That is the question that should be asked.

Because I have dark hair, eyes and olive skin, I have been asked hundreds of times what my ethnicity is. I have answered politely in the past. However, lately it has become annoying. My question is: Why are you asking? I dare to speculate that it is because your need to label helps you put others in a category, making sense of this topsy-turvy world we live in.

Men wear skirts, ladies wear pants, we all can get married and we can “identify” with any culture we want. Whatever happened to the term “melting pot”?

First and foremost, let us identify ourselves as humans before any other label. That way, we can focus on changing behaviors that are really destructive to society instead of superficial outrage against people who are pursuing life, liberty and happiness.

Paula Sabins

Spokane Valley