The Phenomenon Of Labeling Your Best Friends. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Phenomenon Of Labeling Your Best Friends.

Your friend just happens to be gay or black.

Emily Bochette
Jan 23, 2017
Francis Marion University
75
The Phenomenon Of Labeling Your Best Friends.
Pexels

This morning on the radio, I heard the dreaded term, “gay best friend.”

I vented about this to my girlfriend for a few minutes and thought I could also vent to you. Why do we label best friends by a trait they happen to have? Your gay best friend is your best friend. Your black best friend is your best friend. Your guy best friend is, you guessed it, your best friend. So, why do we do this? We are all guilty of it at some point in our lives.

I suppose I understand this phenomenon. Our culture loves labels; it loves separating people, sometimes for good and sometimes as an insult. Maybe we are scared of being accused of relating to a certain trait that is viewed as problematic of your best friend. Maybe we just want to put people in boxes to make things easier for everyone. I personally like labeling myself. I like to identify as a lesbian, or as a student, as a barista or whatever relates to a topic in question. I like that for myself, but I can't make labels for others. It makes me feel understood since I took so long to figure myself out. However, the bottom line is, labeling your best friends by a trait can be viewed as offensive.

These labels come with stereotypes. You think your “gay best friend” wants to go shopping with you and you think you'll never fall in love with your “guy best friend," or whatever. Don't put people in a box. Be supportive of what they want and ask if they're uncomfortable with being called “your ___ best friend”. If not, fine. I'm not always right and I can only speak for myself.

Just let it go. Stop thinking you'll be judged for being with someone who is gay or black or whatever they may be. Love your best friend regardless of who they are. Don't continuously say “no homo” because you're a guy and your best friend is a guy and you like to be together. Homosexuality is not a disease and it is not contagious. I digress.

Just be aware. Talk to your friends. Avoid stereotypes. Be nice. Be accepting. Be a good friend. Make sure your friends feel loved and understood as I'm sure you do; that's why you're friends. Just make sure you figure out your “love language” for your platonic relationship and keep an open mind with them.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

AI music threatens creativity

The Soul of Sound: How AI Challenges Human Expression in Music

345737
Humans and robots face off in a rock band battle with guitars and drums, under dynamic lighting.
StableDiffusion

In an age where artificial intelligence can mimic the voice of Freddie Mercury or reimagine pop hits as synthwave ballads, a new frontier has emerged — one that blurs the line between innovation and erosion. While AI offers undeniable benefits in technical domains, its intrusion into creative arts, especially music, raises urgent questions. Not just about copyright, but about culture, education, and the very soul of artistic expression.


Keep Reading...Show less
ai generated music
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
681809
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
597224
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
580182
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
864507
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments