Community is a word with mostly positive connotations. Despite the fact that its root also produces such loaded words lime commune and communism, people generally feel good about belonging to a community. A sense of community is regarded as a good thing. We all belong to several communities. I suppose there is a community of bloggers, just as there is a community for most subcultures in this world. I know people who work in the horse racing community have a strong sense of their shared values. It's an alternative universe and like most communities, they take care of their own. Most people only see the frontside of a racetrack, that is, the grandstand, turf club, bleachers, and apron in front of the racing surface. But over in the barn area is the "backside" aka "backstretch" where dozens of grooms live and work alongside vets, trainers, exercise riders, and vendors of feed, tack, and even food. Clearly a small town.
In the last few months a community has developed in the morning Tai Chi classes offered in my neighborhood. Probably because there are many seniors with common interests, but nevertheless a tight-knit little community of people who show up despite the ailments of old age and sometimes the challenges of transportation. These folks really care about each other's well-being and after only knowing one another for a few months they are beginning to share more time and depend on one another.
In my neighborhood, we have a "Safer Together" community that is related to our emergency response team. Your neighbors are your first responders in case of major emergency and it's important to know them so you can be there for them if needed.
Many teachers I know consider their students and classrooms as a community. English teachers I worked with all saw their classrooms as "a community of writers." In community there is help, safety, and comfort. We define ourselves by other people, so it makes sense that we feel positive about spending time with them. To do otherwise seems unnatural.
"Man is by nature a political animal." So said Socrates. He meant not that we love and are political, but rather we are meant to live in community. The polis, (Greek city-state) is where we desire to live, among others.
In the little postwar So. California town where I grew up there was a grocery store called The Community Market. It was larger than a mom and pop store, but smaller than today's huge big box versions. It truly served our community, selling everything from canned goods, to 45 rpm records. There was a butcher shop within, and a mini hardware store. We relied on this business for everything until sleek newer chain grocery stores came nearby drawing off many of the customers. Yet the Community Market continued to exist long into the next few decades. I'm pretty sure it's gone now, but in this current climate on online ordering for everything it would have been doomed anyway. BUT... This just in, a little research, as evidenced by this picture reveals what I knew as the grocery store called Community Market is now called the Community Center. At the same location, it appears to be a food bank serving the current community.
Next month I hope to begin teaching a writing class for seniors. If my local Parks and Recreation department can survive all the current budget cutting, this idea of mine might actually happen. If so, I imagine it as a community of people who want to stimulate their cognitive thinking skills by remembering the important stories of their lives. Of course, any age can do this, and I welcome anyone who wants to join the community.
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