Throughout my lifetime, I have held many titles. From friend, devoted wrestling fan, woman, homecoming queen, college student, class president, expert on all things Marvel and DC Comics related, sister, pageant first runner-up and waitress to an education major, daughter, someone who gets up and sings "It's Tricky" by Run DMC at every karaoke opportunity, girlfriend, campus ambassador, sorority woman, volunteer, soul-sister, traveler and writer. With all of these titles would you be able to put me under just one? No? The answer does not surprise me, but yet I still find myself being lessened to just one of these titles.

Not only myself but others are constantly being grouped into these categories that just do not do anyone any justice. As someone who has worked for years at collecting all of these titles, I feel as if all this work was for nothing when I am just grouped into one specific label. Is my 18 years of being a sister forgotten when I am given the label of class president? Do my countless hours of volunteer work get pushed under the rug when I get up and sing at karaoke? And is my love for the sport of wrestling diminished when I walk on that pageant stage? I sure hope not.

There have been a countless number of moments where I have not necessarily been discriminated against, but the labels that I have been given have negatively impacted me. The label that a sorority woman and pageant competitor receives typically has a negative connotation when given by those who do not identify themselves in either. If you have not experienced any of these titles at all, then you have no place in labeling others.

Our society is always looking to label others and categorize each individual based on just one aspect of that person. Is it because we are uncomfortable with people who do not conform to just one title? Is it difficult for us to accept those who are different than ourselves? These questions will mostly likely never be answered, but it is beneficial to consider the possible answers. I understand that it can be easy to group people and stereotype, but I have always tried to be mindful of not doing it myself. Each individual has overcome some obstacle in their life, attained some sort of title and worked to be the person that they are today -- that should never be forgotten.

The effect that this labeling can be detrimental. Just based off my personal experiences, when consistently being labeled into one of my categories I feel trapped by that title. It's difficult to see yourself as anything other than what others feel comfortable labeling you as. I see myself as so much more than just a stereotype or a label. I hope that others do too. Therefore, I will not apologize if I feel lessened by your label of me and decide to voice my opinion. It only takes one minor outburst about the issue on my part to educate others and express myself. So now I encourage you to educate those who stereotype you on who you truly are and that there is way more to you than just one label.