Don, what a compelling piece! I agree 100% with your arguments and premise. And you wove such great texts into your piece. I love this! Is it possible to share and encourage others to subscribe in the process? I am glad that I live “in community” with you and Lisa!
Kathy, you and Jack have brought so much to our community in a short time. Of course you are welcome (nay, encouraged!) to share the post far and wide.
Very profound indeed. I live in a semi-rural community in a western state that boasts of its libertarian roots. As more democrats move in from a neighboring state, the word "socialist" gets thrown around with abandon at those who care about the welfare of the state's elderly and marginalized citizens. When people gathered recently to participate in the capital city for the 50/50/1 demonstration, someone actually threatened them with a firearm. Alarming, isn't it, that a group effort, as well as the political aspect of it, so raises the ire of someone as to actually deny a group of their Constitutional rights. The irony is that the perpetrator probably was also an ardent Constitutionalist.
Since COVID, a ham radio group I belong to has had trouble putting together their annual Field Day. This is amateur radio's opportunity to join together, as our club used to do quite successfully, and present our skills and community service potential to the public. Now, most of the hams want to set up somewhere remotely by themselves to do Field Day. It's quite a troubling change and speaks to the decline in group participation that you have written about here. Thank you for bringing this dilemma home for me.
Sue, those are some pretty alarming anecdotes. Coming from a red state myself, I know just how true that first one is. And the ham radio story certainly illustrates our problem. Thanks for adding these to the discussion.
What I believe right now is that my community is stronger than ever before because we are unified toward a specific goal. But community seems to be something we have always valued. We vote for the common good, rather than for our own individual success. That's why we're seeing a flood of #leavingMAGA farmers right now. People who voted for their individual values are now feeling the pain of voting against the common good.
These people who are hurting now are the key to making our resistance communities stronger. Once they've opened their eyes, they start seeing, and they know where to go because we're welcoming them.
That's at least one way I'm working toward restoring community that includes diverse perspectives.
Really timely, relevant post. But the idea of community only has possibility if both side of the political divide in America are on board. And the right has made starkly clear over and over, that it is not interested in working together, valuing diversity, having compassion and empathy, working toward a common good.. all of the core foundations of building community. So while your ideal is noble and just, it is doomed in the current America. Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer.
This is a terrific piece, Don. I'm somewhat heartened by the current examples of people who step up individually and at great risk to themselves in order to further the common good. I'm thinking of Bishop Budde and Danielle Sassoon. As long as one's speech and actions are intended to raise the level of community well-being, I think getting their by dint of one's own efforts can be worthwhile.
I think the current situation with our government is certainly mobilizing some to more community efforts……hopefully those efforts can involve more discussions with those who are currently making somewhat wild decisions….( we think there may be fraud so we will cut the entire department).
Some difficult realities, Don. What shocks me is people who stop craving community; they don't seek it; reject offers of it; have no desire to create it. I feel safe with people who are willing to take risks to build & maintain a mutually beneficial community. Volunteering provides this. My synagogue offers many opportunities; if you are seeking something that doesn't exist there yet, you are encouraged to start and lead your own "Gather Group", which the temple will support and encourage. It's not just about avoiding loneliness, it's to ensure we never assume that no one cares what happens to us and what is important to us.
George Washington was the American Cincinnatus. He left after he had done what he set out to do and returned to his farm. I continue to give to under privileged children, volunteer at the Museum, and donate blood platelets for cancer victims. There are so many ways to volunteer to help the community. I keep my brain and body active by helping strengthen my community. What a wonderful world if everyone could commit to others. Thanks Don
I think you have hit on what makes your country fundamentally different from mine. I can assure you the vast majority of Canadians put community first. After that it is a major discussion how to implement, how far to go, how to divide resources.
The current US situation is not individualism vs community. It is authoritarianism vs democracy. Even more fundamental. Thanks for a thoughtful piece, Don.
Don, what a compelling piece! I agree 100% with your arguments and premise. And you wove such great texts into your piece. I love this! Is it possible to share and encourage others to subscribe in the process? I am glad that I live “in community” with you and Lisa!
Kathy, you and Jack have brought so much to our community in a short time. Of course you are welcome (nay, encouraged!) to share the post far and wide.
Very profound indeed. I live in a semi-rural community in a western state that boasts of its libertarian roots. As more democrats move in from a neighboring state, the word "socialist" gets thrown around with abandon at those who care about the welfare of the state's elderly and marginalized citizens. When people gathered recently to participate in the capital city for the 50/50/1 demonstration, someone actually threatened them with a firearm. Alarming, isn't it, that a group effort, as well as the political aspect of it, so raises the ire of someone as to actually deny a group of their Constitutional rights. The irony is that the perpetrator probably was also an ardent Constitutionalist.
Since COVID, a ham radio group I belong to has had trouble putting together their annual Field Day. This is amateur radio's opportunity to join together, as our club used to do quite successfully, and present our skills and community service potential to the public. Now, most of the hams want to set up somewhere remotely by themselves to do Field Day. It's quite a troubling change and speaks to the decline in group participation that you have written about here. Thank you for bringing this dilemma home for me.
Sue, those are some pretty alarming anecdotes. Coming from a red state myself, I know just how true that first one is. And the ham radio story certainly illustrates our problem. Thanks for adding these to the discussion.
Glad to know they help show the problem. After posting, I wondered if that first one was actually on topic.
What I believe right now is that my community is stronger than ever before because we are unified toward a specific goal. But community seems to be something we have always valued. We vote for the common good, rather than for our own individual success. That's why we're seeing a flood of #leavingMAGA farmers right now. People who voted for their individual values are now feeling the pain of voting against the common good.
These people who are hurting now are the key to making our resistance communities stronger. Once they've opened their eyes, they start seeing, and they know where to go because we're welcoming them.
That's at least one way I'm working toward restoring community that includes diverse perspectives.
Leslie, that sounds very productive. Good luck!
P.S. I very much liked your foray into this topic.
Really timely, relevant post. But the idea of community only has possibility if both side of the political divide in America are on board. And the right has made starkly clear over and over, that it is not interested in working together, valuing diversity, having compassion and empathy, working toward a common good.. all of the core foundations of building community. So while your ideal is noble and just, it is doomed in the current America. Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer.
Can't argue the pint, Phil. I only hope everyone on "the right" doesn't follow their leaders into this no-win zone.
This is a terrific piece, Don. I'm somewhat heartened by the current examples of people who step up individually and at great risk to themselves in order to further the common good. I'm thinking of Bishop Budde and Danielle Sassoon. As long as one's speech and actions are intended to raise the level of community well-being, I think getting their by dint of one's own efforts can be worthwhile.
Thank you, Susie. That means a lot to me.
I think the current situation with our government is certainly mobilizing some to more community efforts……hopefully those efforts can involve more discussions with those who are currently making somewhat wild decisions….( we think there may be fraud so we will cut the entire department).
Kathy, I hope you are right but I'm dubious the current government is open to that sort of thinking.
Some difficult realities, Don. What shocks me is people who stop craving community; they don't seek it; reject offers of it; have no desire to create it. I feel safe with people who are willing to take risks to build & maintain a mutually beneficial community. Volunteering provides this. My synagogue offers many opportunities; if you are seeking something that doesn't exist there yet, you are encouraged to start and lead your own "Gather Group", which the temple will support and encourage. It's not just about avoiding loneliness, it's to ensure we never assume that no one cares what happens to us and what is important to us.
Wendl, I agree with Barbra: people who need other people are the luckiest people in the world.
George Washington was the American Cincinnatus. He left after he had done what he set out to do and returned to his farm. I continue to give to under privileged children, volunteer at the Museum, and donate blood platelets for cancer victims. There are so many ways to volunteer to help the community. I keep my brain and body active by helping strengthen my community. What a wonderful world if everyone could commit to others. Thanks Don
Jody, thank you for all that you do. You set a great example for others.
I think you have hit on what makes your country fundamentally different from mine. I can assure you the vast majority of Canadians put community first. After that it is a major discussion how to implement, how far to go, how to divide resources.
The current US situation is not individualism vs community. It is authoritarianism vs democracy. Even more fundamental. Thanks for a thoughtful piece, Don.
Alice, what an interesting commentary about our two countries. Rest assured millions of Americans are still fervent fans of democracy.