Comments on: When Labels Can be Helpful

By: Kristyna Chantel

Kristyna Chantel — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:13:45 +0000

I love this perspective on labels. I especially appreciate your view on labels being “fluid”. I totally agree and try to stay away from them because I am someone whose labels change daily and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Very well said.

Thanks,
Kristyna C

By: leslie

leslie — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:15:58 +0000

i am so late to the party here! but gena, i seriously love this post. this topic is so fascinating to me, and you’ve presented it in such a detailed and eloquent way. i agree that we are all made of many, many labels – i try to stress that at all times. i also agree that labels can be very useful in explaining oneself to other people. this is where i struggle though, because i purposely don’t like to place myself in any specific category, which can make my life much more complicated when i meet new people. i’d love to hear your tips on that! i usually say i’m mostly vegetarian, but that really doesn’t explain anything, as i often say you can be vegetarian and eat cheese, white bread, and candy all day, which i don’t.

labels i do love though – new yorker, american, jew, foodie, aspiring yogini, theater enthusiast, confused twentysomething.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:30:02 +0000

I really enjoyed this post, Gena! I could go on + on but will just say that I love your writing and your views on things. Inspiring! Congrats on getting in VegNews!!! That is just completely awesome!

By: Garden Pate. – Choosing Raw

Garden Pate. – Choosing Raw — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:58:54 +0000

[...] responses to my post on labels. I’m glad we were able to discuss the good, the bad, and the [...]

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:18:07 +0000

I personally think labels are what the powers that be use to divide and conquer the masses. Any time you label yourself or let someone label you, the separation/division between what is really just “humans” begins to manipulate your thoughts and actions.

I love your blog Gena, it’s helped us get to 75% raw. But it’s really saddening to see very smart people let the powers-that-be divide and conquer them. We are one people, fighting a battle that can only be won if we don’t label ourselves. A couple of the labels that you’re proud of can be misconstrued and often will be.

By: Jess of Veg Out!

Jess of Veg Out! — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:18:11 +0000

Oh, and Minnesotan!

By: Jess of Veg Out!

Jess of Veg Out! — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:13:43 +0000

Gosh, I really love this post! (When you tweeted about it, I thought it was going to be about reading nutrition labels. Haha.)

Anyway, such awesome points & insight (as always). I agree that it is very convenient to be able to use the term “vegan” to describe myself to people – and it’s a label I use with immense pride. Like you, depending on the company, I’ll elaborate (or not) on my food choices & lifestyle – but it’s nice to have a starting place (or a succinct explanation) by using the term “vegan.”

Other labels I wear happily:
-Girlfriend
-Dog mom (hehe)
-Humanist/free-thinker
-Liberal
-Feminist
-Animal-lover
-Environmentalist

So many more, but that’s enough for now!

Congrats again on VegNews! Great article/recipes!

By: Mass Hysteria! « Gluten-free tries Vegan

Mass Hysteria! « Gluten-free tries Vegan — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:32:21 +0000

[...] Labels and names, people, are powerful things! (Check out Gena from Choosing Raw’s great post on [...]

By: Movie Monopolized Weekend. « Veggie Booty

Movie Monopolized Weekend. « Veggie Booty — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:43:08 +0000

[...] deal of the human experience, and our obsession with labels (a topic that is on my brain because of Gena’s beautifully-constructed post on their potential usefulness). Of course, I didn’t get too caught up in thinking about this at the time (expect more [...]

By: Hannah

Hannah — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:00:46 +0000

Congrats on your VegNews article! I was so excited and surprised to see your photo there when I cracked open my issue- Great article. Hope you’ll make this a regular feature.