How Labels define, divide and unite | Tetsuro Miyazaki | TEDxUWCMaastricht

Key Concepts

Labels (self-identification, connection, exclusion), Hau (half-Japanese), Expat vs. Migrant, Unconscious Bias, Identity, Belonging, Intercultural Identity, Personal Projects, Photography as Inquiry.

The Power and Limitations of Labels

The speaker begins by questioning the accuracy of labels applied to individuals, drawing from personal experience of wanting to belong while simultaneously wanting to stand out. This tension highlights the dual nature of labels: they can foster connection and identity but also lead to exclusion and misrepresentation.

Growing Up Between Worlds: The "Hau" Experience

The speaker recounts growing up as "Hau" (half-Japanese, half-Belgian), a term used in Japan. While this label initially felt isolating, it later became a source of connection through online communities. The speaker notes the uniqueness of the "Hau" label in fostering such communities, unlike similar labels for other nationalities.

Example: The speaker's experience of connecting with other "Hau" in Amsterdam and online, sharing experiences unique to their mixed heritage.

"Hau to Hau": A Photographic Exploration of Identity

In 2016, the speaker embarked on a personal photography project titled "Hau to Hau," aiming to understand the lived experiences of other "Hau." The project involved photographing individuals and engaging them in one-hour conversations centered around questions of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage.

Methodology:

1. Photographing "Hau": Capturing portraits of individuals with mixed Japanese heritage.
2. One-Hour Conversations: Engaging in structured conversations with each subject, exploring their experiences and perspectives.
3. Question-Based Format: Using open-ended questions to prompt reflection and discussion, rather than providing definitive answers.
4. Iterative Questioning: Each participant was asked to provide a question for the next participant, creating a chain of inquiry.

Example: The initial question from Ran: "Have you ever wanted to look less or more Japanese?" This question became the starting point for subsequent conversations.

Key Argument: The speaker argues that the questions themselves are more important than the answers, serving as "rocks in the river" that remain constant while the answers ("the river") evolve with time, context, and personal experience.

Data: The project involved photographing approximately 150 people from 100 different nationalities.

Findings: The speaker discovered that the experience of being "Hau" varied significantly based on factors such as the other nationality involved, which parent was Japanese, where the individual grew up, and their age.

"Expats Ex-Migrants": Challenging Perceptions and Bias

The speaker's next project, "Expats Ex-Migrants," addresses the often-unconscious biases associated with these labels. The project features photographs of individuals with their name, country of origin, and job title, prompting viewers to consider whether they perceive each person as an "expat" or a "migrant."

Methodology:

1. Photographic Portraits: Creating professional portraits of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
2. Public Exhibition: Displaying the portraits in bus shelters to reach a wider audience.
3. Audience Interviews: Interviewing people in front of the photos, asking them to identify each person as an "expat" or "migrant" and explain their reasoning.

Key Argument: The project aims to expose the unconscious biases that influence perceptions of "expats" and "migrants," highlighting the positive connotations associated with the former and the negative connotations associated with the latter.

Findings: The speaker observed that people often relied on unconscious biases when categorizing individuals, and that questioning their criteria led to self-reflection and awareness.

"Seven Labels": A Workshop on Connection and Division

The speaker describes a workshop activity called "Seven Labels" designed to illustrate how labels can both unite and divide people.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Initial Labeling: Participants write one label that describes them on a sticker and place it on themselves.
2. Group Formation: Participants find others with similar labels and form groups.
3. In-Group/Out-Group Dynamics: Participants are asked to identify the "best" and "worst" groups, highlighting the potential for division.
4. Adding More Labels: Participants add six more labels to themselves.
5. Reconnecting: Participants find others with similar labels, leading to a more interconnected and inclusive group.

Key Argument: The activity demonstrates that while labels can initially create divisions, individuals share multiple characteristics that can foster connection and understanding.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes by emphasizing that labels are useful for identification and making sense of the world, but it's crucial to acknowledge the potential for misperception. The challenge is to imagine multiple labels for each person, recognizing the shared characteristics that connect us. The main takeaway is to be mindful of the limitations of labels and actively seek to understand individuals beyond simplistic categorizations.