The negative effects of labels and personal experience

Labels are restrictive phrases or names applied to a group of people or an individual that categorizes them to a specific cohort. Racial epithets are prevalent in contemporary societies. Negro was a standard label rendered to African Americans until the U.S. Census Bureau decided to remove it, terming it racial. Also, blacks and African Americans are the labels that have been predominant in the United States of Americas and had led to debates on the correct and ideal name applicable to minority groups in the United States of America. As an African American, negative labels affects me in many different ways. Precisely, the application of the terms Negros and blacks are audible to my conscience. I perceive them as harsh words that lead to division and abuse to humanity. The labels also affect me in some other critical ways. 

The enduring stereotype through an application of racial labels leads to the abuse in identity and emotional torture to the affected people. For instance, as an African American, I undergo frustration and mental imbalance when the white Americans perceive African Americans as lazy and valueless through labelling them as Sambo that originated from the slavery period. The use of labels has also led to the fear in me as African Americans. The fact that I feel I should not relate freely with other white Americans in social centres leads to nervousness and demotivation in pursuing every act in the United States of American society. Although the application of labels is not that prevalent in contemporary America, the mentality of everybody have towards African American contributed to the fear factor and lack of proper freedom of expression. The use of labels also contributes to the inferiority of African American to their white American counterparts. The situation contributes to the lack of appropriate concentration in classrooms or any other activity that I take part and involves white Americans due to the fear of being judged as inferior.