Labeling – When We Make Others Non-Human

The Holocaust didn’t start with the death camps but with words that systematically stripped away human dignity, reducing an entire population to labels long before a single life was lost.

We’ve all done it.

We slap a label on someone, and suddenly they’re no longer a person. They become “the loser,” “the outsider,” “the freak”, “the extremist.” These words reduce vibrant, complex lives into flat stereotypes, making it easier to ignore their humanity. Labels like these allow us to turn away when harm is done, as if the suffering of a “category” doesn’t matter.

This goes beyond semantics—it’s about survival. Labeling strips away humanity, creating a foundation for abuse and injustice. History has shown time and again that when we dehumanize others through labels, we open the door to cruelty and systemic harm.

The Holocaust didn’t begin with gas chambers—it began with words. Jews were labeled Untermensch (“subhuman”), a lie spread through speeches, posters, and schoolbooks, making violence seem like a “public service.” Similarly, during the Rwandan genocide, Tutsis were called inyenzi (“cockroaches”), dehumanizing them to justify extermination.

Labeling is a concept that explores how societal tags shape identity and behavior. It argues that deviance isn’t inherent but stems from society’s reaction. When labeled as "criminal" or "outsider," individuals tend to internalize these tags, aligning their actions with the label, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Our brains love labels—they’re quick mental shortcuts that let us sort people into boxes: safe or threatening, us or them. While useful for processing information, these shortcuts often solidify into rigid absolutes, reducing individuals to oversimplified caricatures.

Labels might seem like harmless shorthand—a quick way to describe someone’s role or behavior. But they’re far more potent than that. When we label someone, we’re not simply describing them; we’re reducing them to a single characteristic. This reduction can transform a complex human being into an “other,” a faceless entity that’s easier to ignore or even mistreat.

Oversimplifying people through labels distorts reality and paves the way for harm. When someone is deemed "undeserving," it becomes easier to deny them rights, dignity, and opportunities, justifying social, economic, or physical attacks. On a larger scale, such labeling upholds societal norms and power structures, marginalizing groups and perpetuating inequality.

The Holocaust didn’t begin with gas chambers—it began with words. Jews were labeled Untermensch (“subhuman”), a lie spread through speeches, posters, and schoolbooks, making violence seem like a “public service.” Similarly, during the Rwandan genocide, Tutsis were called inyenzi (“cockroaches”), dehumanizing them to justify extermination. Labels like these strip away humanity, paving the way for atrocities.

This isn’t distant history. In 2020, calling COVID-19 the “China virus” fueled a 339% spike in hate crimes against Asian Americans, with even grandmothers buying groceries becoming targets.

During the 2024 U.S. elections, immigrants were labeled as “invaders,” “criminals,” and “job stealers,” reducing their lives to fear-driven stereotypes. Terms like “illegal aliens” were amplified, framing migration as a threat, justifying harsh policies like family separations and deportations.

Such rhetoric doesn’t just provoke fear—it erodes empathy. Dehumanizing language enables cruelty, from harassment to systemic violence, while erasing the humanity of people behind these labels. This stark truth reminds us that the words we choose can uphold or dismantle injustice.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives aim to address systemic inequalities and promote fairness, yet critics often frame them as divisive or harmful. By portraying DEI as a threat to meritocracy or free speech, they reduce it to a zero-sum game, falsely suggesting that supporting marginalized groups disadvantages others. This perspective ignores DEI’s role in correcting centuries of exclusion and systemic injustice.

Politicians and media figures have weaponized terms like “woke” and “DEI agenda” to stoke fear and resist change. By dismissing the realities of racism, sexism, and economic inequality, they deflect attention from the urgent need for these programs. This rhetoric not only sustains the status quo but also perpetuates biases, leaving vulnerable communities unprotected.

Vilifying DEI shifts focus away from progress and justice. By undermining these initiatives under the guise of preserving tradition, critics reinforce social harm and hinder efforts to build a more inclusive society. DEI isn’t about division—it’s about dismantling barriers and promoting unity.

Labeling carries a deep emotional toll, making people feel rejected, as though they’re not enough or don’t belong. This sense of alienation can scar self-esteem, harm mental well-being, and even lead individuals to internalize negative labels, hindering personal growth.

Labeling doesn’t just dehumanize others—it gives us an excuse. Stripping someone of their individuality and reducing them to an “other” makes it disturbingly easier to rationalize harm. History shows this repeatedly, from discriminatory policies to acts of violence, where labels have justified cruelty by erasing the humanity of their targets.

When we dehumanize through labels, we foster a culture where injustice thrives. The abuser justifies their actions as being against a faceless “other,” not a fellow human being. This allows society to silently endorse such behavior, turning away from the suffering of those stripped of their humanity.

Breaking the cycle starts with a conscious effort to see people in their full complexity. Instead of relying on the simplicity of labels, we must challenge ourselves to appreciate the richness and diversity of each individual. This begins with being mindful of the language we use, both publicly and privately.

Equally important is cultivating empathy. By stepping into someone else’s shoes, we see the world through their eyes and recognize their unique story. Empathy strips labels of their power, reminding us that no one can be defined by a single characteristic.

Labels are more than just words—they carry immense power to divide or unite us. Used carelessly, they dehumanize others, justifying injustice and harm. It’s crucial to rethink the way we categorize people and recognize the broader consequences of these labels.

We must challenge the status quo by seeing each person as a multifaceted individual, not a one-dimensional label. Only through empathy, respect, and understanding can we dismantle the inequalities born from dehumanization and build a society that uplifts the human spirit. Every label has the power to harm or heal—the choice is ours.