"Who do you think you are?"

This is a question that is misunderstood; misunderstood because I believe I can ask it. But no matter how much I would like to ask this of an individual, it is not my place to do so because it is a question that is too easily dismissed.

A common dismissive response:
"Who do you think you are to be asking Me who I think I am?"

Instead of me asking "Who do you think you are?" of another, I should be asking it of myself. I should be asking it each time I have the power to influence another individual. I should be asking it by first empathically connecting with this other individual, and then, (from each respective end of this connection) ask myself "Who do you think you are?" and "Who Do I think I am?" This is of course meant to be an inner reflection on potential abuse of power by asking the same question from differing perspectives.

...not an easy task, because these questions are also easily dismissed.

It is too easy to say:
"I am the one with the power."

...and, (perhaps---(but probably not)---subconsciously), it is too easy to believe:
"Deservingly so."

To factor in opportunity as determined by a plethora of random circumstance, is far too cumbersome. Much simpler to believe

"I am entitled."

...and its corollary

"They are not."

Much simpler to believe

"I am the epicenter of ALL past, present, and future Humanity."

...and its corollary

"They are not."

Much simpler to dismiss

"7 million years"

...and its corollary

"100 billion people."

Much simpler to be

"Oblivious, unaware, ignorant, absorbed, disregardful, distracted, dreamy, forgetful, heedless, inattentive, neglectful, preoccupied, unconcerned, uninformed, unobservant, unwitting."

...and its corollary

"Political."