Where have all the flowers gone?

I'm not meeting a whole lot of individuals, anymore. I've met members of groups, I've met minorities, and I've met a all kinds of employees, but I'm beginning to wonder if the individual hasn't become an endangered species.

Think about it. You go to a fancy shindig, your host introduces you to an old friend. What's the first thing you hear, almost attached to the old friend's name? Their occupation. "This is Mister Samson, Banker at the First National, and over here we have Linda Barfurl, Sewer Technician."

Even worse when someone disregards their occupation and decides to identify themselves through their race, becoming the stereotypical ideal for the black/hispanic/white/asian citizen! Do all those "gangstas" you see in dark alleys really want to be there, or do they whistle showtunes while their macho comrades aren't looking?

Then we have the political activists, those who allow their own moral fiber to take a back seat, instead trusting "the Party" to know what is best, and using their small, yet significant vote just to further the will of the Party.

There are many other examples, but I think you get the idea. When was the last time someone had the courage to say "Hello, I'm Jim-Bob-Charlie-Frank" and let it be? I would rather talk to an individual, learn what makes them different from the world (and love them for being different) than meet another clone who takes their strength and identity from the masses.

Individuals, you are needed; we have been catering to the masses for far too long. We are not a hive-mind, we are not clones, we are not slaves.

We are people. We are different. We are free.