I am an individualist. I've always been an individualist with an individual streak, but I haven't always identified as such.
For those who aren't in the know, an individualist is someone who believes in the personal sovereignty of each human being. In spite of a lifetime of programming I attempt to look at each person as an individual. And because of that, I often see the programming that other people have been fed regurgitated as rhetoric as what it really is. I don't identify people by their race, or political affiliation, or education, or financial status.
As an individualist I don't look to the collective to solve problems, because even though collectivists are individuals, many of them sacrifice a small piece of their principles for the "common good." Even in a similar group of people, one cannot cast many generalities about that group without being incorrect, and therein lies the issue. We cannot judge a person based upon the company with whom others pigeon-hole them, because we are inevitably wrong.
Not all Muslims are terrorists. Not all Christians are hypocrites. Not all African-Americans are lazy. Not all Anglo Americans are hard workers. Not all Republicans are racist. Not all Democrats are socialists.
Now look at all of the comments above. They are commonly held generalities and in some individuals, the statement is true. It is also equally as likely for a Christian to be a terrorist, a Democrat to be a racist, a hard-working Democrat, or a Muslim hypocrite. The generalities apply to someone no matter how you mix them up, but NEVER TO EVERYONE, no matter how narrow you think that generality is.
Why? Because there are over eight billion unique sets of brain cells shaped by eight billion unique life experiences. That person making generalities about people may strike you because in one instance they describe you and attribute traits which you do not possess in another. They are applying a collective brush over you. They are attempting to describe something seen from their perspective and apply it to people who may or may not fall into their particular worldview. To make matters worse, this particular phenomenon is well understood in psychology and utilized as a tool to control the population by keeping attention upon perceived rifts in society. It's the old strategy of divide and conquer.
So I've begun to peel away the layers of programming applied to me from years in government schools and constant bombardment by the media. I have come to the conclusion that in order to change the world, I must first change me. I must first change my place in life. I must first change MY WORLD. A movement of a million people, to break the current paradigm of the world isn't likely to succeed if there is a central leader to target, discredit, and diminish. In a movement where the goals of one million people are similar but no one is in charge, that's a bit harder to discredit and diminish.
I am an individualist. And I seek to change the world. I'm starting right here, taking one step at a time. I don't need a following. I don't need the approval of others to reach my goals. I've begun my personal revolution, my own insurrection if you will.
I am an individualist. You may judge me on my own merits or shortcomings, but not on those of my peers. You may follow my progress and ignore or cheer me on. You may fight alongside me in my calling. If I see you somewhere along the way, please say hello. If I see you at the finish line, I'll shake your hand.
I'm an individualist. My personal mission has only just begun. Hope to see you there.