What's in a name?

What’s in a label?

Labels play a big role in how we understand the world, but they can also limit how we see people. When we label someone, we often make assumptions about who they are, based on a single aspect of their situation. Labels like "poor" and "homeless" don’t just describe someone’s circumstances—they carry stigma and judgment that can impact how society treats them, and how they see themselves.

How Labels Affect People

When we label someone as "poor," we tend to overlook their potential and their humanity. That one word can make us assume things about their character or work ethic. It’s easy to forget that poverty is not an identity—it's an experience. People experiencing poverty may be facing temporary hardships, but that doesn't define their worth or their future.

The same applies to those labeled "homeless." To call someone "homeless" reduces them to just their housing status, ignoring all the other parts of their lives—whether they’re parents, workers, students, or veterans. But homelessness is a situation, not an identity. People experiencing homelessness are still part of our community, and their dignity shouldn’t be lost in a single label.

The Power of Changing Language

There’s a significant difference between saying someone is "poor" versus saying they’re "experiencing poverty." The first is a label that defines them, while the second describes their current experience, leaving room for growth and change. Shifting to this language helps us see that poverty is not a permanent state, and that people can move through it with the right support.

Similarly, saying "people experiencing homelessness" acknowledges the complexity of their situation. They are more than the fact that they don’t currently have a home. This small change in how we speak encourages greater empathy and reminds us that their situation can improve.