A community is established when more than two people share the same values and through time this personal connection evolves into a fellowship governed by rituals, traditions, and a particular form of communication that when taken together makes a group of individuals whether living in a specific geographical area or connected by ideals so distinct that their distinguishing marks allow them to stand out from among the crowd. They do not just believe in something like an organization but they need each other to survive and thrive. A good example is the Old Order Amish Mennonite community wherein the community serves as source of identity, strength and provides the reason why they should sustain the community’s way of life.
It is important to understand that in order for a community to exist at least three conditions must be met: a) place; b) interest; and c) communion (Smith, p.1). There must be a territory or place where people can congregate or can be seen (Smith, p.1). The location also helps identify the community and differentiate its members from other groups. The common interests shared by the members create a tight-knit community. Some examples of interests found in communities are religion, occupation, ethnic origin and even hobbies.
Aside from location and interest one of the most important components is communion. There must be a connection between the members of a particular community. Without this communion, the coming together, a profound sharing of ideas, resources etc., there can be no community but a group of individuals banded together simply because of proximity such as those living in a gated community in an upscale neighborhood but the residents do not know each other. A more technical definiti...
... middle of paper ...
...rd the Amish Mennonite community exemplifies the meaning of community. The community is established and continues to develop because it is a source of identity, strength, and sustainability – the reason why they must exist and perpetuate their way of life until the end of time.
Works Cited
Cnaan, Ram & Carl Milofsky. Handbook of Community Movements and Local Organizations.
New York: Springer Science, 2008.
Schwieder, Elmer & Thomas Morain. A Peculiar People: Iowa’s Old Order Amish. Iowa:
University of Iowa Press, 1975.
Smith, Mark. “Community.” Accessed 21 October 2010. Available from
http://www.infed.org/community/community.htm
Bellah ET AL., Robert. "Community, Commitment, and Individuality." Literacies: Reading, Writing, Interpretation. By Terence Brunk. Second ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2000. 74. Print.
Swales, John. "The Concept of Discourse Community." Wardle, Elizabeth and Doug Downs. Writing about Writing a College Reader. Boston: Bedford/St.Martin's, 2011. 466-480. Print.
A community is comprised of a group of goal oriented individuals with similar beliefs and expectations. Currently the term is used interchangeably with society, the town one lives in and even religion. A less shallow interpretation suggests that community embodies a lifestyle unique to its members. Similarities within the group establish bonds along with ideals, values, and strength in numbers unknown to an individual. Ideals and values ultimately impose the culture that the constituents abide by. By becoming part of a community, socialization...
Community is defined as a group a people living in an area under the same conditions. Realistically, a community is so much more than this definition. It is people and their different beliefs that form a community. In the town of Milagro, Amarante Cordova, Ruby Archuleta, and a town coming together to rescue a fellow community member from jail exemplify the true spirit of what community is.
A community is the feeling of togetherness felt in a setting with a group of people who share similar characteristics. Living in Scott Hall my freshman year of college, shaped my view of community quickly. Going to organized events, socializing in common areas and interacting with my Resident Advisors gave me an ideal
Mellix, Barbara. ?From Outside, In.? Writing Lives: Exploring Literacy and Community. New York: St. Martin?s, 1996. 75-84.
Ewen, Stewart. “The Chosen People.” Literacies. Ed. Terence Brunk, Suzanne Diamond, Priscilla Perkins and Ken Smith et al. New York:: Norton, 1997. 183-97.
Downs, Doug. "The Concept of Discourse Community." Writing about Writing: A College Reader. By Elizabeth A. Wardle. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011. 466-78. Print.
Abcarian, Richard. Literature: the Human Experience : Reading and Writing. : Bedford/Saint Martin's, 2012. Print.
Community is like a Venn diagram. It is all about relations between a finite group of people or things. People have their own circles and, sometimes, these circles overlap one another. These interceptions are interests, common attitudes and goals that we share together. These interceptions bond us together as a community, as a Venn diagram. A good community needs good communication where people speak and listen to each other openly and honestly. It needs ti...
The McMillan-Chavis model consists of four elements that are necessary to evaluate a sense of community. They are interdependent and all exist on some level whether positively or negatively. These four elements are membership, influence, integration, and emotional connection. While some of these may be more predominant, they are all contributors to a psychological sense of community. To provide an example of how the McMillan-Chavis model is applied to a community setting that one belongs to, the University of New Haven Community Psychology graduate program will be the community of application. This particular community has a respectable psychological sense of community that provides a suitable example.
In the 1971 Webster Dictionary the last part of the definition reads, or region linked by common interests. In today’s society most people living in a community aren’t linked by common interests. A lot of people have different interests, beliefs, and way they go about living their lives from their neighbors. A more accurate definition, is, a group of people living in the same locality and under the same government (Dictionary.com). Now wouldn’t that definition be more suitable? It probably best describes most of today’s community actually. Take for example here at Michigan State. There are people most all different cultures, backgrounds, and sexual preferences (please don’t take to offense). Communities are just, for the most part, made up of people who live around each other. They may not like each other, or be like each other but one common interest they do same is they all have dreams.
Everyone is a part of a community. Most people are a part of multiple communities. A community is a group of people that have a commonality. Sometimes it is based on where you live, hobbies, goals, etc. I believe that communities are created unconsciously and are connected to someone’s identity, especially when a person is considered a part of multiple communities. Sometimes, a person may connect very well with their community. Sometimes, a person may feel very distant from their community. In the movie, “English Vinglish”, the main character, Sashi, shows examples on how communities are created through commonalities, and the acculturation theory. Sashi was a part of multiple communities. A few communities included her, her Daughter’s school,
A Community can be defined as a group of people who don’t just live in the same area, but also share the same interests, experiences and often concerns about the area in which they live. Often when individuals have lived on a street or in an area for a while they become familiar with each other and the issues surrounding them. Children often attend the same schools and grow up together, again sharing similar experiences. In some instances adults may work together, and quite commonly all community members will share the same doctors, dentists, hospitals, health visitors and other public services and facilities.
Everyone has their own perception of an ideal community. For each person the factors of an ideal community will vary depending on their upbringing. My understanding of a community is a place where a group of people live, and socialize. Everyone is caring, thoughtful, and respectful. In my community people take care of each other they think before they act, and are respectful to one another keeping in mind equality.
The question often comes up, what environment would allow us to easily embody our beliefs and lead a life free of hypocrisy. Communities are an excellent, even if not the only solution. The gathering of diverse people based on a similarity in their aspirations and interests forms a whole that is greater than the sum of the parts. One of the most successful attempts at forming such a community is Auroville, located in southern India.