Visions of Community

What Does a Community Look Like?

It is sometimes difficult to speak of types of communities, because they are endless. I think we would all be surprised at the many different versions and ideas people have of community. We could be referring to where we live or work, how we spend our time, our ethnic or cultural heritage, or our religious groups.

Where we live, work, or spend a considerable amount of our time are communities of place; they are geographically specific. I think of this type of place as having almost an infinite number of subcategories. They might include urban, suburban, exurban, rural, small towns, and houseboats; they also encompass the Third Places, such as bookstores, churches, coffee shops, libraries, speakeasies, and more.

Communities of interest may include activities such as food, art, music, book clubs, writing groups, gardening, travel, online gaming groups, photography, and boating. People are drawn together because of what they like.

Cultural communities and ethnicity are not the same thing, although they are closely related and overlap in many cases. Ethnicity refers to shared history, ancestry, and identity, whereas culture is the thoughts, beliefs, values, and customs that you become a part of. Most of the stories I write about span both categories; for example, the Los Islenos in south Louisiana, who descend from the Spanish-speaking heritage of the Canary Islands, have maintained a unique culture for generations.

Our country has a rich and diverse bench of communities. Religious groups include both major groups, but also subgroups and smaller sects.

As I travel this wonderful country of ours, I am truly fascinated by the immense diversity of communities.  Within a few hours, you can travel from the biggest urban centers to the sparsest areas out there.  Communities vary from the Cajun bayou fishing villages to the theatre district of New York City - and everything in between.

I think the main point is that you don’t have to do this alone. Community means more than one.  It means not being lonely with the way you live.  Each type of community provides a sense of belonging and support to its members, fostering connections and shared experiences.

I look forward to sharing information and stories about the many assorted groups of people we encounter.