Quick, describe yourself! Chances are you will use several labels assigned to you by the great unidentified "THEY" of our society. Now, ask yourself, "Why am I so quick to accept those labels?"

In this group, I am hoping to . . .

Quick, describe yourself! Chances are you will use several labels assigned to you by the great unidentified "THEY" of our society. Now, ask yourself, "Why am I so quick to accept those labels?"

In this group, I am hoping to have articles involving open discussion and critical thinking (notice that's critical thinking, not criticism) regarding what makes us who or what we are.

Why is it important to know why we become who or what we are? Simple. Every election day, voters go out and make a decision on who will lead us. Our leaders make laws regarding who we can marry, who is allowed to inherit what we accrue during our lifetime, what our schools will teach our children. I've come to realize that most people make these decisions without ever wondering how we have come to accept different standards in this society. For instance, do you mark "White" or "Caucasian" on a census sheet? Why? Are you truly all "White? Are there any Native Americans, Hispanics, African-Americans, or Asians in your geneology? Then, how did they get "washed out" when it came to deciding you were white? Or....Are you straight, gay, or bisexual? Doesn't this assume that all people are either male or female to begin with? But, did you know a number of people start life with either nonspecific genitals and sometimes are assigned a gender by the doctors attending them because of some accident of fate?

Let's explore who we are and why we are, if we can. Let's look at the history of labels, racism, and sexism. Let's open our hearts and our minds to other and discuss honestly what's deep inside of us that makes us choose different ways of life.

Opposing views will be tolerated and even encouraged, but I ask that those who post here either speak of their own feelings or, if you are talking about historical facts or events, please also include a reference to where you learned those facts so that other members can all further our own research. Links are wonderful! If you speak of the Bible, don't just say, "The Bible says," give us chapter and verses please.

Also, as to content, poetry and creative endeavors are also encouraged if they have to do with the subject matter. And, if you reprint an article that you have seen somewhere else or are quoting another source, please also use references. Plagiarism is a bad thing!