Dallas just happened. Police were targeted. And killed. It happened in response to police killing men in Louisiana and Minnesota. This evil has me thinking about our nation. About how we have allowed labels—and all that we attach to them—to divide us.

I'm white. Middle class. White collar. The header above and the about page herein offer more labels. These labels are how I identify myself. How others identify me. Such labels do not fully define me, however. If you look beyond labels, you'll see me: a human being; just like you.

Labels can be helpful. Labels as descriptions help us quickly identify things about one another. Background, vocation, interests, worldview.

Labels can be harmful. Based on our experiences, biases, assumptions, prejudices, judgments, and fears we label others. In doing so, we give ourselves permission to treat them as other, as less than, as enemy, and even as evil.

Pro-choice. Republican. Black. Rich. Muslim. LGBT. Politician. Asian. Liberal. Criminal. Military. Terrorist. African. Straight. Pro-life. Law enforcement. Activist. Jew. Democrat. Poor. White. Radical Islamist. Conservative. Labels. All of them.

Look beyond labels and see a human being; just like you. Don't dismiss, discount, or disrespect others based on their labels. Look beyond labels, beyond race, beyond history, beyond your prejudice, beyond your fear. See a human being. #HumanLivesMatter

I am not saying we are all the same. I am not saying don't use labels. I am saying we must not allow our differences to divide us to the point of offense and evil against one another.

Stand for the sanctity of all human life by treating all others as we'd want to be treated. We've heard that as a rule before. Now let's live it. Let us honor others above ourselves.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

— Romans 12:9-10 NIV

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