So, I am nonhuman/inhuman, and I am rather open about this. I do not have a kintype, I am simply not a human, suppose the best way I could explain it as is: I do not perceive my actions, mind, instincts, or thoughts as human. Though I may appear human, it does reflect what I am.
I have been this way my whole life, however, I only found out about the alterhuman community 6 to 7 years ago–I have used the nonhuman and inhuman labels interchangeably ever since, but as of lately, I have begun to feel... resentment that stems from an uncomfortable feeling towards the labels. The human bit in them, to be exact. Yet I have failed to find any labels that define my experience that don't just use human in them as well, or if they do define my experience, they are for beings who identify as a certain kintype (often an animal like a canine or feline). So those labels aren't for me, clearly.
I have complained about this before, and have always been told "Just use whatever label you want!" but that isn't the point. I want there to be a label out there that isn't just to define my experience, but others as well, to find others like me or similar to me easier. A label that is easy for me to explain and there is no mistaking it, no clarification, no misunderstanding because that label is originally meant for some other individual group... I know I could just make one myself, or maybe I am not looking hard enough, but I still have this feeling deep down that I am being dramatic. I am nonhuman, yes, but to get worked up over the fact the term itself has the word human in it? I feel almost childish.
I'm not sure if you accept asks like these, so there's zero pressure to answer. I just wanted to voice my feelings here, get a second opinion, that kind of thing.
first of all: yes, asks like this are absolutely welcome here
and honestly? i don’t think you’re being childish at all
i think what you’re describing makes a lot of sense, actually
because for many people, labels are not just descriptors—they’re also tools for:
▸ feeling understood without constant clarification
so when the available language feels uncomfortable or imprecise, it can start to feel isolating very quickly
and in your case, the discomfort seems less like:
«“i irrationally hate this word”»
«“why does my experience have to keep being defined in relation to humanity when humanity already feels incorrect to me?”»
which is a very different thing
there’s also something important here:
a lot of alterhuman terminology was created in specific contexts, often by specific groups with specific experiences in mind
which means there are gaps in language sometimes
especially for people whose experiences are:
▸ difficult to categorize
▸ not tied to a singular being/species/kintype
▸ or fundamentally disconnected from the concept of “human” altogether
i think the frustration of “i can technically use this label, but it still doesn’t feel right” is incredibly common in identity spaces as a whole
people often say “just use whatever label you want” with good intentions, but you’re right that it doesn’t fully address the deeper issue you’re talking about
because you’re not only looking for permission to use language
you’re looking for language that feels like home
|…the npc pauses for a moment|
and i think there’s also an exhaustion that comes from constantly having to explain yourself around labels that only partially fit
especially when your experience already feels difficult to communicate
for what it’s worth, i don’t think wanting better terminology is dramatic
humans and nonhumans alike naturally try to organize experiences through language
wanting words that feel accurate and communal is normal
that doesn’t make you selfish, attention-seeking, or “too sensitive”
and honestly? if eventually you do create or discover a term that fits better, that doesn’t mean you failed to understand yourself correctly before
sometimes language evolves because people finally say:
«“the existing words are close, but not quite enough for this experience.”»
you do not need to minimize your discomfort just because others may tolerate the term more easily than you do
different people relate to language differently
thank you for sharing this here
i think there are probably more people who relate to this feeling than you realize
this dialogue has been logged with care :)
