Sense of community is shifting
JOBURG - IT SEEMS there is a sentiment that it is becoming increasingly difficult to foster a sense of community in our neighbourhoods.
Talks with community members reveal a feeling among many that some residents are increasingly becoming disengaged in aspects of the community, such as participating in residents’ association meetings, community activities or even simply talking to their neighbours.
In many ways, the advancements in technology are changing the way in which we interact with one another and we are at the point where we can access information about and communicate with our friends and families without needing to get off our couches. And so, while the traditional sense of community may be less prominent, online hubs of communities are forming as we follow certain Facebook pages and Twitter handles, and correspond via chat groups and messages. Our journalists are even able to access information and talk to community members for their stories via these groups.
But, while it is fascinating to be part of these online communities, it seems there are people who miss the tangible connections and neighbourliness. “Apathy” is a word thrown around as it seems some in the community feel they are the “doers” while others are the “complainers” who don’t contribute but are the first to criticise when something isn’t done.
And, in the midst of grappling with the concept of how the sense of community is changing and the impact it is having on our neighbourhoods, the story of the generous and neighbourliness of Austin View residents who came to the aid of their neighbours who lost their home and belongings in a fire, was an example of the traditional sense of community at play.
The neighbours helped to call emergency services, gave food and shelter to the victims’ pets and helped in every tangible way they could.
Life 4 U Foundation, based in Ivory Park, also demonstrates the spirit of neighbourliness as they provided assistance to two families whose breadwinners are jobless and struggle to get by.
Our local newspapers often report on community members extending a helping hand to others, and sometimes on a larger scale, such as the community clean-up initiatives like Spruit Day, which was reported on a few weeks ago by a number of our publications. Such stories showcase the traditional notion of community, but it would seem that on a day-to-day basis, residents don’t always feel that neighbourly spirit.
It is easy to pass through our suburbs as if we are wearing blinkers, focused on what we need to do for our work or families, and forgetting to get to know our neighbours and contribute to our neighbourhoods. It seems that while some are able to retain a real sense of community in order to work together to strive for a better life in their communities, others seem unperturbed by its loss.
What is apparent is that the way we understand the sense of community is shifting, and it’s exciting to see it develop and to be part of online communities, but it can be argued that it should not be formed at the expense of knowing our physical neighbours and helping to contribute to the physical aspects of our communities to make them a better place to live.
