Labeling: Stop stooping to grouping

Label me as someone who set this sentence up really well, but we've gotten to the point here where we label each other way too much.

If there's one thing college has been good for, it's stereotypes. And not just the original big three of race, creed and color. Those are old-school. Kids here will stereotype anything. We are stereotype professionals. We'll take the clubs you're in, the classes you take, what you had for breakfast this morning. It doesn't matter how trivial or generic it is, we'll take it and label you. For life.

That's not to say that we're not good at the big three, either - because we are. If you want a real slice of Americana, check the online comments from the April 28 story, "Four sought in strong-arm robbery," by Nick Rhodes. At last check, the story had more than 60 comments, each more offensive and racist than the last, including stuff such as, "Black people = stupid" and, "White people are so trashy." Looks like some people didn't read my column about chilling out.

How do you guys make any friends when you've already labeled everyone else as a shitty person because of some affiliation? If you're not into Greek life, you should know that everyone who is associated with Greek life isn't necessarily a scumbag, you know? And that works both ways, because some of you fraternity guys need to get rid of the superiority complex. I'm not a GDI (god-damned independent, or a non-brother), I'm a JFG. Just a friendly guy.

We've assigned labels to campus organizations like the Student Government Association. And you should know, it's unfair to say that everyone involved in student government is an asshole. I mean, sure, they're assholes. But they're assholes who care about this campus, and that's probably more than I can say for you.

People will label anything. The Diamondback gets labeled. The other day, someone said that a typo in a headline was reflective on the paper as a rag. Really? One typo, and we're a rag? I mean, seriously, this paper still employs me, and you're worried about a typo?

The thing is, you can label anyone based on anything if you want to, because you're bound to find a shitty person that fits that mold. There's no group of people that is 100 percent awesome. You get some lemons.

Which brings me to my next point: In order to stop stereotyping and probably win some type of shiny medal, I'm going to create an unstereotypeable group, which only admits awesome people. That way, no one can make a negative stereotype about my group because everyone in it will rule. Thus, it will reverse stereotyping and destroy it forever.

So I am now officially accepting applications to The Unstereotypeables, the most awesome club ever that does not discriminate based on anything besides how cool you are. We accept anyone. Black, white, brown, green or purple. Christian or Jewish or Muslim or Buddhist or atheist. We're above stereotyping entire groups of people. We're better than that. So apply now!

Unless you're Canadian. They suck.

Rob Gindes is a junior journalism major. He can be reached at

gindesdbk@gmail.com.