Community. Why is it our past, present and future?
By Sheree Klasen

Community. What a powerful word that is. We all have a community in some way or another. Sometimes, our communities are not always obvious ones, but they are out there, existing, empowering and bettering us all as individuals.

You are probably very familiar with the term itself. You have your local community, work community, special interests, hobbies, online forums... the list goes on. In a modern world like today, the very word ‘community’ has come to lose all sense of meaning. In its purest, most mundane use, the term simply refers to the unity of people. It gives us all a sense of identity and meaning, it shapes who we are – our thoughts and attitudes.

Historically, the term was first used in the early 16 th century and was synonymous with rebellion and assembly. However, by the end of the century, the word simply meant the unity of individuals who form together to achieve a common goal. These communities and their formation are so clear and in abundance throughout history. Let’s look at the French Revolution of 1789. During this period, we observe a time of great change where the French people grew discontent with their lives, and as a response, pioneered for change. The community grouped together in strength and unity for an entire decade until the rebellion ended in 1799 with Napoleon Bonaparte establishing the French Consulate. Albeit a very brief overview of a major historical event, the sentiment remains. A community formed to fight a common goal, for common people and for the common good. Why don’t we move to more recent history? A famous name, Adolf Hitler. The rise and fall of the Third Reich is a sad history, a reality that affected many people who are still living - your grandparents and parents for example. Despite this dark past, beauty and light can be found - the strength of the Jewish peoples, the unity of Germans fighting for what was right (might I add- often times abandoning one community because they no longer believed in the cause), the allies fighting together and the identities that formed in a post-World War II context. These all extent from a sad part of history, however, empowerment, identity and strength were formed and supported by community.
See, community can be both good and bad, light and dark, but it is never wrong. It provides strength and power and often, other communities fear those that contradict their ideals. Sadly, this is when hate becomes more powerful than love and the truest, mundane
definition is lost- unity.

Just because the term ‘community’ was only coined in the early 16th century, does not mean it did not exist before. In hindsight, community has always been there, guiding and supporting our ancestors. The Romans had their community inmilitary and empirical strength, Ancient Egyptians through their religion and art, and, even the most primitive pre-historic groups had community. See, it is a pretty powerful and warm feeling to have and be part of a community.

I look at myself and thank the communities that I have been a part of. They have shaped me to the person I am today- just like your communities have shaped you. My family community, they gave me love, strength and support- oftentimes
when I wasn’t worthy of it. My friend community give me guidance, trust, strength and clarity. They challenge me every day to wake up a better person than what I went to bed as.

The goal of the community in today’s world, especially now, is not to hate or exclude. It is to love and accept. History has shown us that we are not enemies, we are all individuals, in our own communities who are simply out here trying to do one thing, and one thing alone- live in unity. So, don’t see the other religions, races, sexual orientations, occupations, generations, political parties as a competition set on destroying you. See them for what they are and the common community that we are all a part of- the human community.