6 ways to undo identity politics, especially in kids

Identity Politics:

is social activity by or on behalf of a racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, or other group,

usually undertaken with the goal of rectifying injustices

suffered by group members

because of differences with a larger society.

1. Change the Label. Labeling things can be useful to assist understanding, provide warnings and save lives. However, how or why should labels apply to people? Is there value in labeling people and how might labels negatively affect the future of individuals? What damage has occurred in our own families from labels? To illustrate, let's assess one family's initiatives of rejecting society-assigned identities through changing labels. Trusting in God, they chose positive interventions to alter their family's trajectory and outcomes. They refused to allow labels that minimized who and what God was asking them to become.

2. Find Commonality. No one was born with an owner's manual so man began to label things. Over time, labels were applied to humans. No thanks to the U.S. census, labels led to human profiling and financial corruption. Other stereotypes define education levels, socio-economic status, body image and illness types. While labels help us find commonality, acceptance, love and social circle-belonging; politics and social media have pushed these boundaries beyond safe extremes. Sadly, a strangers' judgement or abusive actions empower anonymous bullying, emotional damage or worse, suicide. Yet, DNA cheek-swabs and ancestry-testing proves that no one is 100% anything--or rarely so. On any given day, even our mood, attentiveness and other stereotypes change.

3. Say yes to God. In our ground zero family, there were infertility concerns. The identity of these parents became: "infertile, barren and broken." When a news story broke about a baby tossed in a dumpster, these parents were moved to house and love foster kids. Prior to being fully-licensed they received siblings: Ana a 2-year-old and Zay who was one. Both kids suffered from environmental and other damage. This led to labels of problem-children, being out-of-control, delayed and disabled. Being of a different race than their foster parents led to judgement, rejection and being different. Over time, adoption enabled these parental to be heroes, saviors and saints. Diagnostic labels evolved when Ana turned to self-harm, biting, spitting and acting out. She was saddled with another label: fetal-alcohol syndrome. Zay arrived in a failure-to-thrive condition and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and seizures. He would never walk or talk. Rather than accept their diagnoses, the children were emotionally-lifted, loved and medically-empowered to shed every label and identity.

4. Pray for Miracles. Today, Zay reads, writes and runs which led to Special Olympics medals. He functions at an 11-year old level. His new identity is athlete, accepted, included, victor and chef due to his love for cooking. Ana was accepted into college where she will major in Social Work. Her new identity is empathetic, mature and successful. Through the love and fortitude of their God-loving parents, these kids' rear-view mirrored their obstacles which fueled their passion for helping others. Later, a new identity was added: big brother and big sister. While of a different race, twins were fostered in their family and later adopted. This family of 6 is color-blind. Jesus too, was color-blind. He loved and healed all; whether Jew, Gentile, Roman, Samaritan, Canaanite, Leper, etc.

5. Shed Victim Mentalities. So many are quick to use identity-labels as crutches and excuses to avoid growth and maturity. It's easier to wallow in despair and become a burden to society rather than contribute. Jesus did not play the victim card. As He hung on His cross, dripping sweat and blood, He forgave. He knows parents are not perfect but knows which parents are perfect for us. This family proves how God can reverse a narrative of impossibilities. We just need to get out of  His way.

6. Accept God's Identity. If our faith is shaky, labels create identity crises if we allow it. Knowing who we are in Christ is the secret sauce. If we fall for identity politics, we cannot walk with God's confidence and freedom. Satan wants our worth defined by human perception--his biggest deception. Wjy do we listen? Conversely, Jesus defines us as brothers, sisters and neighbors. God the father defines us as His children.

When we stop caring about others' opinions, we retain full freedom to fulfill God's plan. Whether adopting kids, running a business, or being a super parent; we are a child of God. He made us for a purpose and will move mountains for us to accomplish His will. When we have God, we need nothing. Look past satan's rhetoric and lies, ignore manmade barriers and do everything for the greater glory of God.