The Trap of Labels: How Identity Politics Divides Us More Than It Unites Us

At the end of the day, we are all human beings. We’re born here, we live here, and we will all die one day. The labels we assign to ourselves–whether based on gender, race, or any other identity–can sometimes obscure the simple fact that we share the same fundamental human experience. The more we separate ourselves into groups based on things like gender or race, the more we risk losing sight of the reality that, no matter who we are or where we come from, we all have much more in common than we often realize.

It's easy to think that identity-based movements and brands are necessary to address past injustices. And they are, to some extent. However, we need to ask ourselves: does constantly emphasizing these divisions ultimately create more problems than it solves? Sure, labels may bring much-needed representation, but they can also reinforce the separation we are trying to move beyond. When we’re constantly sorting people into categories, we run the risk of seeing each other not as individuals, but as members of a “group” that is defined by a single trait that we are born with, and I think that we can all agree that lately that has led to further division.

Human identity is much more complex than any label. We are humans and we are all unique in ways that go far beyond whether  we are male or female, black or white, rich or poor. Yet, society tends to reduce us to these labels, and sometimes, that only perpetuates stereotypes and misunderstandings.

It’s important to consider that the challenges we face as a society–things like mental health, economic inequality, global pandemics–don’t discriminate based on gender or race. These issues affect everyone, regardless of identity. But if we continue to divide ourselves based on these labels, it can make it harder for us to find common ground and work together. In the end, these problems require a collective effort, one that is rooted in the understanding that we are all facing them as humans, not as isolated groups.

This isn’t to say that the struggles of specific groups don’t matter–they absolutely do. The fight for gender equality, racial justice, and representation is crucial, and we need to keep pushing for a world that recognizes and addresses those issues. But we also need to recognize that, at some point, these labels become limiting. The more we categorize ourselves into groups, the more we risk falling into a mentality of “us vs. them.” Instead of coming together to solve problems, we end up competing with each other for recognition or resources.

We really need a shift in focus. Rather than continuing to create more identity­–based categories, we should emphasize things that unite us as humans: our shared experiences, our common challenges, and our collective potential. Instead of promoting brands and movements based solely on gender, race, or any other label, let’s talk about what it means to be HUMAN­–about the values we all share, like love, hope, and the desire for connection and progress.

It's important to acknowledge our differences, but we also have to see beyond them. When we define ourselves too rigidly, we risk missing out on the opportunity to build a world where everyone is treated as an individual, not just as a representative of a group. The ultimate goal should be a society where we recognize our shared humanity and work together toward solutions of where we come from or who we are.

In the end, we are all born into this world with the same fundamental needs, and we all face the same inevitable truth: one day, we will leave it. That should be a reminder, that no matter what our identity, we are in this together. Let’s stop dividing ourselves by labels and start focusing on what we all have in common. After all, the challenges we face are human challenges, and the solutions must come from our collective effort.