The Stuck Community

At previous gatherings of A Beloved Community we discussed Chapter 1 (Insights into Transformation) and Chapter 2 (Shifting the Context for Community) in Peter Block's book Community: The Structure of Belonging.

On December 4, 2013 Jim reviewed Chapter 3 - The Stuck Community. Here is a brief summary:

"The existing community context is one that markets fear, assigns fault, and worships self-interest.  This context supports the belief that the future will be improved with new laws, more oversight, and stronger leadership Possibility thinking and associational life are marginalized, relegated to human interest and side stories in the media.  The corporate model is the modern ideal, and the economy is the center story. The story in the stuck community defines the role of the media as framer of the debate.  In community building, we need to realize that what the media reports is a reflection, not the cause of the conversation that citizens currently hold.”

We discussed the questions:

1. What is the current community story of Shasta County?  
2. Of the Beloved Community? 
3. What is the “hidden agenda” found in every story? 
4. What is meant by a retributive agenda?

We reviewed some sample front pages of the Record Searchlight (particularly the articles Homeless Camps Raising Ire, Fear and Americans Lose Trust in Neighbors from Associated Press, published on December 1, 2013) and it was clearly illustrated what is meant by "marketing fear and fault."

We asked ourselves "What role does the media play in defining and telling the story of a community?" The illusion is that legislating laws, more oversight, and stiffer penalties will improve society.

What are some actual effects of more government involvement in community life?

Jim pointed out that the value of “associational life” (per John McKnight) is a key force in building community - that's what we are building at our ABC gatherings. "The stuck community essentially discounts associational life and instead values, and even glorifies, the system life, especially the private decor and corporate mindset." Here are some ways in which we discount associational life (the place where the social fabric is built):

• The only true measure of community is economic prosperity.
• We name social service and institutions that serve the public good "not for profit."
• Associations are under constant pressure to be more corporate; to merge, become more efficient, submit to external oversight, measure harder, and submit to greater accountability
• The public benefit sector makes front page news only when there is a scandal.
• We marginalize compassion in the public conversation.

The point is: Citizens have the capacity to change the community story. One of the goals of a Beloved Community is to figure out how to do this and to collectively discern the possibilities for "our story."

Rick pointed out how the Winter 2013 edition of Good Magazine has a feature on "Celebrating Possibility" with the Good City Index that measures 8 factors:

1. Hub For Progress - Where in the city do new ideas capitalize?
2. Civic Engagement - What ongoing project best show citizens involved in their city's improvement?
3. Local Vibes - What traditions capture the distinctiveness and uniqueness of city life?
4. Signature Moment - What time of the year brings out the best in the city?
5. Transportation - How do locals move around?
6. Green Space - Where's the best outdoor spot in?
7. Diversity - How do people of different backgrounds come together in the city?
8. Work/Life Balance - How do locals kick back and slow down?

These are good questions to ponder for our communities in Shasta County. We don't live in a stuck community. We are changing the conversation and the community story. 

Interested? Join us January 16, 2014 at 6 PM as Ellen leads a review Chapter 4: The Restorative Community. A Beloved Community is now gathering each month on the first and third Thursday evenings at 6 PM at the Fireside Room in Redding Public Library. There are no gatherings planned for December 18th and January 2nd.

A Beloved Community will participate in Redding's Winter Celebration Friday, December 6th from 4-8 PM and the Annual Lighted Christmas Parade Saturday, December 7th at 6 PM.