Label jars, not people!

People have different names: John, Ion, Ianos, Johan... Despite this, lots of us find it easier to use labels in order to characterize other people, in order to describe or to address them. It's easier to say about someone: „He / she is gypsy, handicapped, over the hill, redneck, fag... „ and that is the end of it! We've labeled them, we've placed them in a box, we know all about them! Indeed, we only need a quick glimpse in order to observe the exterior features of someone - those that „stick out". But how much do these features tell us about that person? Almost nothing. And I bet you never thought about the true meaning of these labels...

As I explained in my previous article, the term „gypsy" was used for the Roma people because the western Europeans thought the Roma were Egyptians. At the first look, the term „gypsy" doesn't seems offensive, but if we think about the fact that it was used because of the darker tan of the Roma people and that it has only negative connotations , we should revise this opinion. The term „Roma" is the correct term to use because in the Romani language „Rom" means „man, husband". Similarly, the term „bozgor " is intentionally derogative for the Hungarian community, while the correct term „maghiar" means in Hungarian „man, husband". This negative term is everything but just, because even if we accept the unjust idea that a territory is the property of its first inhabitants, they are actually mentioned in Transylvania as early as 895, year when even the most daring historian would not dare to claim that the Romanian people existed! In conclusion, all these honorable citizens of Romania have every right to be named as they wish, that is „Rom" or „Maghiar"!

And now allow me to say a few words about the term „handicap". This word refers to the barrier that is the environment for the person with disabilities. But the man is different from the other animals first of all because he has the ability to adapt the environment to he's needs. We wished to travel from one cave to the other and we made roads. We needed cars and we created parking lots. Because we are intelligent beings that adapt the environment to our personal needs, it is imperative to adapt the living environment to the needs of people with disabilities: ramps, elevators, wider doors...

We should not forget one thing: not all of us can run a hundred meters in 6 seconds and not all of us can play basketball like the stars of NBA. So, depending on the reference system we should consider the fact that we are all eligible for the term „handicapped". To say about a person that he or she is „a handicapped" is equivalent to seeing only that person's disability and not the person. And this is not only disrespectful, it is simply unacceptable! There is a substantial difference between the terms „handicap" and „disability". There are people with different disabilities who play chess better than me, have a higher IQ than me, have more talent or more strength than me. But this does not make any of us „a handicapped"! The human being has value in its-self and deserves respect for the simple fact that it posses 48 chromosomes. Consequently, people with disabilities must be treated as any other people because this is not an issue of „normality". And if we really wish to label people, we should at least have the courtesy to use correct labels. Just say person with disabilities or person with special needs. But always remember the term person!

On the same model we can analyze all the other labels and negative stereotypes applied to marginalized and discriminated groups in Romania. But I assume you are a smart person and you caught the idea…

But before you go back to your netsurfing, I have one small advice: whenever you feel like posting a label or making a negative generalization about a minority group, try to answer this question: „How many Roma people - or any other people - do you know personally, in order to make an absolute value judgment?" And don't forget, a rule allows no exceptions, because it is absolute. If your absolute value judgment can be contradicted even with only one example, it is not correct! To say about such an example that it is the exception that confirms the rule is inconsistent and plain stupid. I mean it!

Still, if you are some genial scientist that deciphered the mysteries of the DNA and have isolated the gene that causes stupidity or laziness, please let me know. If not, remember this: „Label jars, not people!".

I am looking forward to any comments at e-mail octav@apdr.ro

Till next time, all the best!