Beliefs are Just Labels

Beliefs are Just Labels

Bob Barnes, an ex CIA agent, said that the Suicide bombers would seem to take objection on being called as such. Suicide bombers would like to call such act as martyrdom, hence, they want to be called martyrs. This is one of the many example that one may consider that beliefs are labels. Euphemisms and cacophony may make labels justified or nullified.

I recently watched Wicked the Musical. One may find it amusing to include pop culture references to the role of Glinda. Audience can see the depiction of a typical stereotype of a blonde and the use of up-talk. Up-talk is a manner of speaking in which declarative sentences are uttered with a rising intonation as though they were questions. This kind of talk is also utilized by mostly college girls who want to exude an upper-class stature. Unfortunately, others deem the use of up-talk as a sign of dumbing down of an individual.

A line from Wicked the Musical would appear to illustrate on how beliefs are just labels.

“A MAN'S CALLED A TRAITOR
OR LIBERATOR
A RICH MAN'S A THIEF
OR PHILANTHROPIST
IS ONE A CRUSADER
OR RUTHLESS INVADER
IT'S ALL IN THE LABEL WHICH IS ABLE TO PERSIST
THERE ARE PRECIOUS FEW AT EASE
WITH MORAL AMBIGUITIES.”

Wicked: A New Musical
Music & Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz

The quotation would seem to illustrate how authorities can label deeds. Deeds are neither good nor bad; labels personify every deeds judgment. Another tangential theme from Wicked is the villain-hood of Elphaba (wicked witch of the West) and its political overtone. For the sake of the Ozians, there must be a source of evil. There must be a scapegoat. Although the great wizard of Oz and Madame Morrible are the nefarious villains, Elphaba took the fall for Ozians to feel safe. One would realize that Elphaba is the most powerful wizard for she has a genuine talent for sorcery. The Great Wizard of Oz is a phony, and only hides in the mask of authority.

After seeing the musical, I see Elphaba in prism-colored lenses. I perceive that she is not wicked at all, and I would see “The Wizard of OZ” in a different light. She is an example on how authority can put labels to perpetuate a belief.