Communities Shape Our Identity
A community is a way society unites. Whether we are referring to culture, age, Internet or where we live, they can all be defined as a community. The communities we belong to take part in identifying ourselves to others by showing one’s interests and talents.
When we think of a community, the first thing that usually comes to mind is where we live which is a proven reflection of one’s identity. In richer communities, or as David Brooks states, in “Our Sprawling, Super-size Utopia” “white-bread kinds of places where Ozzie and Harriet families go to raise their kids” (185), most will focus on having the larger home and kept lawn. In a community where less fortunate people reside, there is no such competition. With this in mind, a person driving down a street of a poor community will sometimes identify those who reside there as possibly dangerous or untrustworthy. Almost the same stereotypical ideas will go through ones mind if placed in a similar scenario, only in an upper-class community; they will feel more at ease due to the complimenting surroundings. There is truth in the fact that the community in which we reside gives off a perception that identifies us to others.
Most communities form from similarities one person has with another. Lessons learned; beliefs, rules and traditions are all similarities brought forth from family and culture. This is why families are some of the strongest communities in today’s society. Being raised to believe in God is something I was taught from birth. I do believe, but I do not go to church often. To some I could be considered not a “true believer”, but my Big Momma, Leona, always says, “You don’t have to be in the Lord’s house to express your love for him.” In the same aspect, one raised by parents who do not believe, more than likely will follow those same beliefs. Family is a community of great strength and we are born a member.
Just as the community of family, age is also an involuntary community. It is also one of the only communities that can identify us by appearance, besides race and gender. One with frosty white hair or soft wrinkled skin can usually be identified as a person over the age of fifty. These same individuals are now what one may call part of a privileged community, although they may disagree. As children under the age of two are usually free to fly or attend certain events, the senior citizen communities, those over the age of sixty-five, have similar benefits. Some receive; discounted meals at restaurants, special medical benefits and even senior housing developments. The elderly have a community of people in similar situations, right next door.
Intelligence is a community that can be achieved. Some have more trouble than others joining a community of this magnitude. In most cases, being intelligent identifies one to others as successful. Those who are considered smart, or even gifted, tend to surround themselves with others who are on a similar level. “The struggle of fitting in can be like giving up on yourself,” says Kumi Hodge, author of “Making the Grade”, when she speaks of the troubles she has experienced being a highly educated black woman. (259). Individuals, who do not carry the skills needed to thrive in school, usually find comfort in others that hold these same insecurities. It is obvious that being on either side of this scenario holds complications, so associating oneself with others who share similar interests makes one’s intellect a community.
Communities are of the utmost importance in the world today. They give us a sense of belonging. Young, old, male or female, we all need healthy relationships with others to survive. The social networking communities such as MySpace and Facebook have made communication simple, and in turn, are now the most popular communities today. Individuals that join these types of communities are influenced by peers and unaware of the addiction that may develop. Making friends does not come easily to everyone. The simplicity and many benefits of joining a social networking site; the online community is growing at a rapid pace.
Although there are many benefits, a community of this size has to have its faults. Melissa Brock, an employee at Electrical Reps Northwest, says the time she puts dedicates to her Facebook account “leaves me up until wee hours of the morning, and affects my work day as well.”(Brock) Jeopardizing important parts of her life to chat with pals or play a game called Farmville is definitely not a good sign for her future.
In a more factual scenario, an online news network, “The Onion,” published an online article about a MySpace.com blackout that occurred in 2007. “Because the sudden lack of friends has deprived MySpace users of comments, bulletin posts and searches for elementary school crushes, it is feared that the ordeal could inflict long term psychological damage” (158). The use of social networking as a main source of communication with the outside world is both unhealthy and impersonal.
A community unites our society. Whether we are referring to Culture, Age, Internet or even where one resides, is defined as a community. They identify who we are to others and the importance and affects of them are sometimes over looked.
Works Cited
Latterell, Catherine. “Remix, reading and composing culture. Second Edition”, Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2010.
Brooks, David “Our Sprawling, Super-size Utopia”.” “Remix, reading and composing culture. 2nd Edition”, Chicago: “The Onion”, (May 30, 2007). 158
Latterell, Catherine. “Remix, reading and composing culture. Second Edition”, Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2010.
Hodge, Kumi “Making the Grade.” “Remix, reading and composing culture. 2nd Edition”, Chicago: (259)
Latterell, Catherine. “Remix, reading and composing culture. Second Edition”, Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2010.
“MySpace Outage Leaves Millions Friendless.” “Remix, reading and composing culture. 2nd Edition”, Chicago: “The Onion”, (May 30, 2007). 158
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