It seems as if the geographical size of the world is made smaller and smaller each time we put on a t-shirt, pair of pants, or undergarment. The axis on which the earth spins serves to keep us connected yet we insist on disconnecting ourselves.

We insist on choosing sides, choosing particular groups and even labeling ourselves in addition to our clothes. While the clothes have been made or fabricated in a particular country, they do not become a part of that country.

Let’s see, there’s Turkey, Sri-Lanka, Haiti, Jamaica, Pakistan, USA, Dominican Republic, Thailand and Bangladesh just to name a few.  While these countries are all members of the United Nations, they have another commonality that we often overlook, but are intimately in touch with everyday.

Take a look at the label of the shirt you are wearing.   Look at the label on the towel you will use to dry your body off later today.   Turn over the labels in the underwear you step into everyday.   Each label will tell you that the garment was made in a country outside of The Bahamas.

Looking at all of these labels made me think about how big the world is, yet at the same time it is quite small.   Think about it.  I am able to wear a T-shirt in The Bahamas that was made in Thailand and it is possible that the fabric was woven in some other part of the world.

It seems as if the geographical size of the world is made smaller and smaller each time we put on a t-shirt, pair of pants, or undergarment.  The axis on which the earth spins serves to keep us connected yet we insist on disconnecting ourselves.

We insist on choosing sides, choosing particular groups and even labeling ourselves in addition to our clothes.   While the clothes have been made or fabricated in a particular country, they do not become a part of that country.  

Similarly, some of us live in a country with our labels but do not become a part of the country.  Some people live in this country because this is where they were born and as such choose to live here.   Then there are those who were born somewhere else but have chosen to make The Bahamas their home.

 However, there are individuals who label themselves as Bahamian, but do not add to the public in any meaningful way.   Likewise, there are non-Bahamians who live and work in this country, but do not make any real contribution to the society either.

 So what is the reason for us labeling ourselves if we will not make meaningful contributions to the development and sustainability of the country in which we live?  The labels we wear usually serve to allow us to fit into some group or finagle our way into a particular niche in society.

These labels can be sewn on as easily as those on a cotton t-shirt.   Some people are so good at labeling themselves that they wear the every so popular reversible label.   With the general elections a few weeks away, the amount of reversible labeling has definitely intensified.

Some people who were wearing PLP labels five years ago are now wearing labels on red T-shirts with flaming torches.   Likewise, some red-labeled T-shirts have been turned in for a bright island yellow.   And, of course, there is no mistaking the labels that are reversible and can change with each ring of your doorbell.

Yes, the world is very populated and diverse, but the labels we put on ourselves only serve to widen the gap that could otherwise bring us closer.   There is no need to label yourself just to make yourself fit into a society that would accept you anyway if you brought something meaningful to the table.

This week I challenge you to examine what contributions your make to your society.  What do you do to help uplift your family and community?   How do you bring positive energy and hope to the people around you?   Do you think you could accomplish that if you were more concerned with how you label yourself?

Look at the tags on the clothes you are wearing.  The tag will instruct you on how to care for your clothes, but they do not tell you how to wear the clothes once you step into them.   The label may guide you, but it does not define you.   Use your time this week to define who you are and how you can best care for yourself.   

About the author: Joye Ritchie-Greene is an Educational Consultant, Writer and Martial Arts Instructor. She is the owner/operator of The Bahamas Martial Arts Academy; president of Time-Out Productions; and is also a columnist for the Freeport News. She has a B.A. in English and an M.S. in Human Resources, resides in Freeport, Grand Bahama with her husband and enjoys playing tennis. Joye can be reached at joye_hel_ena@hotmail.com

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