Dealing With Labels

Image Source

Brian Johnson: Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did was wrong. But we think you're crazy to make an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain...

Andrew Clark: ...and an athlete...
Allison Reynolds: ...and a basket case...
Claire Standish: ...a princess...
John Bender: ...and a criminal...
Brian Johnson: Does that answer your question?... Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.

--"The Breakfast Club"

What made this movie infamous? How do labels attract the audience? Do labels really matter?

Each character in "The Breakfast Club" is different from the other, yet they are forced to be in detention together. Each of them have different personalities, world views and backgrounds. It seems like they would not get along with each other during detention, but surprisingly, they do.

Everyone is known by their names and labels (populars, jocks, nerds, etc.). They didn’t know each story to each person. They relied on their first impressions of each other. Later in the movie, they warmed up to each other. The experiences, peer pressure and dreams made the characters quite similar.

This can apply to reality and the people you meet in college. It’s not a bad thing to have a first impression of someone. It’s part of our human nature to identify others. The hardest part about labels is that they don't always define who we are. We are defined by many things. Labels do matter on the outside, as well as to our character.

That’s how "The Breakfast Club" got together because they got to know one another. They shared their experiences and allowed each other to learn about who they are. This made them better people.

Create your own identity, and be comfortable with it. Just continue to be the best you can be.

By: Amy Ausdenmoore