Affinity groups...

I've been thinking about what affinity groups are for the past 4 days since reading a really interesting article by James Paul Gee. Loosely defined, an affinity group is comprised of people with similar interests. These groups can span massive distances...for example...I am in an affinity group called "educators" and this group includes individuals from all over the world...many of whom I do not know at all. However, that larger group includes a group of "educators" much closer to me...(for example)...my colleagues at the elementary school. We work with other affinity groups...groups we help create. We even give them "names" or "labels"...groups like "at risk children", "LD students", "ADHD students." Gee talks about how affinity groups seem to be groups that individuals want to be a part of yet the groups I mention in the previous sentence don't seem to be the type of group kids would stand in line to become members of. Still...they exist.  Reading Gee's article has me interested in how these groups form and why. I'm also interested in how the formation of these groups contributes to the socialization of children into the insitution of school and if (at all) opens up space for possible moments of liberation within that institution. Is there a way for affinity groups to work in such a way that the socialization that takes place in schools is not solely reproductive in nature? Is there a way for affinity groups to work alongside one another in such a way that produces liberating moments for each group? I'm not sure the questions are coming out the way I want them right now and welcome your thoughts.