Community as Home

By Leah McPhail
Nonprofit Studies Program, Rhode Island College
Providence, Rhode Island

When I think of community, I think of a place you can call home; a place that is safe, friendly, familiar, fun, and clean. I think of a place without any garbage on the ground, because people would not throw it there. I think of going to the store and knowing the people who work there, and saying hello to your neighbors. A place where you are out of milk, you can walk next door and get some from. In the summertime, I think weekly games of “manhunt,” and water gun fights, pool parties and cookouts that everyone is invited to. In the winter time, I think holiday parties with family, friends, and neighbors, snowball fights, and winter sports. I think “tightly-knit” and open and everyone knows everyone.

If all communities were like this, neighborhood pride and togetherness would increase, leading to reductions in crime rates. It would also affect the litter and destruction of property that often occurs in many “communities”. People would care about their neighborhood and their neighbors.

This idea could also lead to trouble. When neighbors interact, it might lead to drama within the “tightly-knit” circle. A potential issue for concern is gossip. When a community knows its members’ business, it can often be problematic. It can turn people against each other, and cause rifts in the peacefulness. Living down a mistake or a bad choice would be unlikely, or take a very long time. If you remain within the community, secrets are not easily kept; even if you don’t want anyone to know. Conversely, the harmony and friendship may be an even trade for the drawbacks. Knowing that you do not have to lock your car doors, you can leave your windows open at night, and not have to worry about neighborhood violence can be irreplaceable to some.

Another source of disturbance is landscaping…some people don’t like to rake their lawns meticulously, and don’t plant grass seed if their lawn is bare. Others may be offended by the sight of an unkempt lawn or leaves blowing from yard to yard; and the situation could explode into a form of “suburban terrorism” (–former victim of a disgruntled lawn keeper).

I was born and raised in a community similar to the one described above (not exactly so “cookie-cutter”, but close). As a child, that is exactly how it seemed. I have since grown up and lived in a city, and have seen a whole new side to community. Walking down the street, you may not want to say hello the person you are passing, and may even fear them. You would never leave your G.P.S. in your car, let alone leave it unlocked. If your front door is ever not locked, the chance that you get robbed increases dramatically.