DeLine's Book - "Label Jars Not People"

While I enjoyed reading through the first sections of DeLine's book, I caught myself searching for evidence in the text to connect the narrator to some type of label. Earlier in the week we discussed the term "queer." In general, I think its a good term because it encompasses identities that go beyond just gay or lesbian. Although I don't like that its another label to add to the list that are already present in society as a whole.
During the discussion, I decided to observe the conversation rather than participate to educate myself but also to take in the responses of others. I came to the conclusion that in terms as a society we are comfortably, uncomfortable with labels. Comfortable in the sense that we feel the need to label absolutely everything. While I don't like to label people, labeling is a natural thing. Everything in our daily lives has a label; apples, desk, light, car, but then it goes even further black, white, male, female, etc. etc. The uncomfortable portion ties in because we are so obsessed with labeling that when we feel that someone or something cant be labeled or doesn't fit into a label, we freak. On a personal level, if someone feels that they as an individual cant find a label that's already existent, it can make them feel like there is something wrong because they don't fit.  The worst part about all of this is while its great to create new labels that encompass any and every aspect of someone, its just restarting the process of labeling all over again.
So why exactly do I bring this up? I found myself trying to label the narrator constantly. Throughout the beginning parts of the text I was confused, and not for a reason that I am okay with. There isn't any identifying pronouns anywhere, this made me try to figure it out for myself. One second I was convinced the narrator was a male, then next a female. I became irritated during certain readings because I was so focused on gender that it took away from what I was actually reading. This shouldn't have been my focus, I instead should have been focused on the transformation that was occurring in the book. I think this shows how easy it is to get caught up in labels whether we want to or not. It was definitely a big eye opener for me and something that I personally want to stray away from and more towards "Label jars not people"