Personal Identity and Social Identification “Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their life a mimicry, their passions a quote. »― Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854-1900) Irish wit, poet and playwright. Each mind is a world. Who am I? What do I do? Where am I going? These are questions that should be asked when we talk about identity, a sense of belonging or community orientation. It is ancient human nature to want to belong to or identify with a group, such as a family, a culture, an association or a sports team. It is deeply rooted in the history of humanity – from tribalism, from ancient times to today. Hierarchies, religious brotherhoods, political parties, military brotherhoods; to globally intertwined social networks, activist organizations, business conglomerates, fraternities, and clubs on college campuses. An individual's identity is greatly influenced by their environment and by the great role that governing powers play in influencing our culture and society. In the later years of my life, being part of a student body and being associated with a particular religious organization had an influence on my perspective, personality, and identity. It strikes me that in this day and age, racism and prejudice are still so widespread. widespread problem in this country and around the world. Can't we all get along? Ethnic and religious conflicts make headlines every day. The late Rev. Dr. King said, “We have flown through the air like birds and swum in the sea like fish, but we have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers. » We live in science fiction. The future that many of us grew up contemplating on TV shows and in comic books is upon us. Atom...... middle of article ......group preference or ethnocentrism and perception of belonging to a social or cultural group. Ethnic, cultural, economic and religious conflicts between groups of people are omnipresent in our world and in our times. The ideologies, social engineering, mass media, country, culture and religion one may be born into are all forces that will continue to promote the qualities that differentiate one person or group from others. An old Russian proverb says: “Show me your friends.” and I will tell you who you are. A biblical proverb: “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but he who associates with fools will suffer evil.” » Shakespeare wrote: “All the world is a stage, and all the men and women but players; they have their exits and their entrances; and a man in his time plays many roles, his deeds spanning seven ages. It's not a dress rehearsal, it's our lives.