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Jun. 17th, 2016 01:06 pmCommunity is the most important thing we've got.
I mean, there's a lot of things you could put as the first word there. Innovation and creativity and love and a really nice MLT sandwich could all work, and I wouldn't argue them with you. But I honestly think, as far as I want the world to work, community's the Big One. It's the thing we should be fostering and working on and remembering as we travel through life and try to get by.
Community doesn't preclude arguing, or disagreements. But it does take those things and suggest compromises, look for ways to help as many people as possible feel as happy as they can.
Community *does* preclude abject hatred of outsiders. Okay, fine, yes, lots of "communities" are insular by nature and not really friendly to just anyone joining in. But that's not how it should be. Gatekeeping doesn't make your group stronger, it just makes it smaller.
Maybe people show up to your community who you weren't expecting to be there. That's a good thing! Sometimes you have to work with them to explain how the culture of your community flows, and may be different from other communities they've been a part of, but that's not the same as shutting them down or kicking them out. And maybe they'll bring ideas from their other communities that are worth considering or implementing.
Maybe people aren't showing up to your community, and you need to take a step back and think about how to change your community around. Maybe you need to be more welcoming to some aspect --even if you're not UNwelcoming, maybe things need to shift so the aspect isn't being ignored.
And deeper than any specific group, community says that we gotta look out for each other, we gotta take care of each other, we gotta hold hands and hearts and make the world a better place for those who aren't able to pick up the fight. As small as telling a rape survivor "I believe you and it's not your fault", as big as drafting legislation.
Making the global community better is the reason to change the world. And it's a good damn reason.
Look out for each other, folks. Try to remember that we're all just doing the best we can. Try not to assume malice without reason. Try not to judge groups on the behaviors of individuals. Try to open your arms and listen when people need it.
One thing I told my eleventh graders this year, a lot: Be gentle to each other. You're all you have in the world.
Community is the most important thing we've got.
~Sor
MOOP!
I mean, there's a lot of things you could put as the first word there. Innovation and creativity and love and a really nice MLT sandwich could all work, and I wouldn't argue them with you. But I honestly think, as far as I want the world to work, community's the Big One. It's the thing we should be fostering and working on and remembering as we travel through life and try to get by.
Community doesn't preclude arguing, or disagreements. But it does take those things and suggest compromises, look for ways to help as many people as possible feel as happy as they can.
Community *does* preclude abject hatred of outsiders. Okay, fine, yes, lots of "communities" are insular by nature and not really friendly to just anyone joining in. But that's not how it should be. Gatekeeping doesn't make your group stronger, it just makes it smaller.
Maybe people show up to your community who you weren't expecting to be there. That's a good thing! Sometimes you have to work with them to explain how the culture of your community flows, and may be different from other communities they've been a part of, but that's not the same as shutting them down or kicking them out. And maybe they'll bring ideas from their other communities that are worth considering or implementing.
Maybe people aren't showing up to your community, and you need to take a step back and think about how to change your community around. Maybe you need to be more welcoming to some aspect --even if you're not UNwelcoming, maybe things need to shift so the aspect isn't being ignored.
And deeper than any specific group, community says that we gotta look out for each other, we gotta take care of each other, we gotta hold hands and hearts and make the world a better place for those who aren't able to pick up the fight. As small as telling a rape survivor "I believe you and it's not your fault", as big as drafting legislation.
Making the global community better is the reason to change the world. And it's a good damn reason.
Look out for each other, folks. Try to remember that we're all just doing the best we can. Try not to assume malice without reason. Try not to judge groups on the behaviors of individuals. Try to open your arms and listen when people need it.
One thing I told my eleventh graders this year, a lot: Be gentle to each other. You're all you have in the world.
Community is the most important thing we've got.
~Sor
MOOP!