The value of titles that are placed upon things, situations, and people causes fear and the thought of superiority over the next, in ways that are seen and unseen.
Titles are attached to nearly everything and everyone. Whether you are a sister, friend, lawyer, or spouse.
"Remove the titles, now do you still have the same expectations?" -LaToya Duckworth
People expect certain things from certain people.
Removing the title becomes necessary when the title becomes the basis of how we respond or act toward a person or thing. When I worked as a prison guard, I was expected to be stern, guard inmates, and be locked on a cell block with over one hundred inmates for eight to ten hours a day. Before this title, I would have never done such a thing and surely no one would expect me to guard inmates. I fell victim to the training and expectations that were placed upon me and went into prison being mean and being someone, I was truly not. I eventually became depressed and not happy with the very thing I went in feeling hopeful about. I was not at all mean and surely was not there to punish the inmates for anything that they had done or even to make their time worse.
Titles seem to separate the person from who they are.
This is often seen in relationships as well, not only in employment. As a wife or husband, some expectations have been set by society as well as individualized expectations those around us have. When thinking about these relationship titles, our minds have been shaped around the thought that it is someone who is committed to one person, cherishes another, and belongs to another person. If the title was not attached to the individual, should that person still be held to those expectations? In the event, that this person is not living up to these standards by society or an individual the person can be seen as not worthy or just simply a bad person.
I often wonder, if we treat those around us in a way with respect without regard to class, credentials, or titles can relationships still be as valuable? This is not to discredit those who have put in the time to gain certain titles such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, husbands or wives, etc. I agree that these things should be recognized, just not held to a standard where it changes how I treat someone. Simply, showing respect to those around us and titles wouldn't be the basis of how we respond or act towards others and how others respond or act towards us.
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