Our generation is obsessed with labels. Labels can be very powerful in uniting individuals in common life experiences, and many people are proud of the variety of social groups they identify with; but it isn't difficult to think of instances where labels and stereotypes have turned to hatred and oppression.

In attending a school that has an unquestionable white majority, I have heard and related to people who have said, "I never knew I was [fill in the blank] until I came to America/the Pacific Northwest/Newberg." Being associated with a social group changes when your social setting changes.

For me, being Asian in Hawaii meant that I was in the majority. Most people looked like me, had similar senses of humor as me, had similar familial experiences to me, had similar goals and thought processes as me and generally led similar lives to me. But now, in a very dominantly white town and campus, I am the token Asian/Hawaiian friend, which makes me very uncomfortable.

My school recently held a panel in which professors and students spoke about race in the context of the workplace, school and American society as a whole. One student, in sharing his experience, was the catalyst for my realization of why I was so uncomfortable being called a label that I was proud to identify as. This student shared that since the African American population in Newberg is so low, he has become the "token Black friend." Although he is very proud to be Black, he is uncomfortable being forced into the box of what other people think being Black entails.

As for me, I am very proud to be an Asian-American woman from Hawaii, but when I'm being called "the Asian" or "the Hawaiian," I definitely get that feeling of being subjected to other people's preconceived notions of what being Asian or Hawaiian means.

I think the solution to this labeling and erroneous stereotyping starts with us as individuals. We must take the responsibility to change upon ourselves:

1. Learn about the "groups" we associate ourselves with (and maybe even the groups that other people associate us with) and the general public's knowledge and opinion of these labels.

2. Embrace the labels we alone choose to identify ourselves with.

3. Lastly (but possibly the most important), continue living as the beautiful, unique individual you are. Don't try to actively fit in to the stereotype of the label that you identify with or try to avoid fulfilling these stereotypes. Like I said, stereotypes exist for a reason: they are based in truth, but making a judgment about a large group of people based on a few (or even several) individuals of that group is when you strip people of their individuality.

When we are informed about who we identify ourselves with and who we are individually, we then must learn about others. Learn about the oppression and hurt of other social groups. Learn about their history and why they are known this certain way. Then, when you meet people, don't think of them as their label first.

We will always have prejudices; it's evolutionary. But instead of seeing someone through your perception of Black, gay, hipster or whatever you think they are, get to know them as an individual first, and learn about who they identify themselves as.

People are people.