The term individualism often gets a bad rap these days.

That's unfortunate since the individual is the essential component of every group and the smallest minority on earth.

The term is often used in such a way as to insinuate that the individual is always inherently and negatively selfish and therefore unconcerned with the well-being of others.

This is not the correct way to understand the concept however. 

The individual, like the atom, is the building block of any more complex structure or arrangement. It contributes what it is capable of and often to much better effect than others could do.

It is the individual with his unique personality, preferences and abilities who, working in conjunction with other unique individuals improves the world and our individual lots in it.

Viva! La Individual!