Labels

I think I've already touched on the subject of labels in another blog post, but I'd like to revisit the topic.

I was walking with a  few friends of mine earlier today, and I made a comment about an issue we had been discussing. Upon hearing my response he looked and me, getting excited, and started yelling 'Fake feminist! You're a fake feminist!'
First of all, let me say that I do identify as a feminist, and it confuses me when other females don't. I respect myself and believe in equal rights, it's as simple as that.
Second, the fact that I choose to wear the label 'feminist' does not mean that I don't form my own opinions on matters. Just because I choose to be part of a bigger group, doesn't mean that I'm not an individual.
This is why I find labels to be so frustrating, and why I'm so reluctant to accept labels that are placed on me. Labels, while sometimes necessary, are extremely limiting and affect others' perception of another person. When individuals are labeled, it's easier for other people to make assumptions, which are often incorrect. They'll think, 'Oh, she's this, so there's no way she could do that, or like that.' Labels fail to take into account that people are unique, and and have their own prerogatives on matters. This is an issue that I constantly struggle with. I fear labels because they are so limiting, and I don't want to feel like I can't do something because I'm part of a certain group of people.