ThirstyFish

Photographed at the Bryn Athyn Historic District.

"We", "us", "our" are possibly the most dangerous words in any language. I can only think of two "safe" uses of these culprit words; In a strict first person plural form, as in the example "We met under the Brooklyn Bridge"; The second, to denote "all" people in general, as in, "We [the human race] are not all that smart". The use of "we", "us" and "our" as "identity association" almost invariably implies a faulty generalization, deception, or even manipulation. "We Americans... ", "We French...", "We Christians...", "We Muslims...", "We rich...", "We heterosexuals..." all imply an association or identification with a subset, or a division of humanity; "We invaded Iraq to bring 'freedom and democracy' and 'hope and progress'". Did "we"? Who is this "we"?

"We", is the ultimate loaded word.

Be very aware of what people really mean, when they say "we", "us" and "our" to include or exclude you in what they think, what they have done, or what they want to do. And beware that "they", "them" and "their" can also be misused in a similar fashion...