Us Versus Them

I just met her last night. She graduated from a prestigious school back East and had a long career as a social worker, before the illness took her down. 

She asks me about someone else living in our assisted living community. "She is one of 'us'." Looking for her words . . . "You know, 'us' vs 'them'." 

I know. 'Us', meaning the residents like her. 'Them', meaning staff like me.

Artificial labels, that maintain the illusion of separateness. Collectively enforced selfing . . . 

One day, I could be one of 'us' also. We can all.