As the world becomes more intertwined and complex over generations, it can be easy to lose track of the relevance of our local communities. As internet and its various innovations in communications become more widespread, we become more connected to the world in its entirety and less attuned to our individual “worlds”. New ideals and niche subcultures, which previously would have come secondary in relevance to any shared culture from family and city, can now grow and become larger than countries. The Internet is and continues to be a massive paradigm shift in the way mankind develops and propagates culture. Everyone has access to a phone or a computer which gives them unprecedented freedom to learn, share and influence any connected community in the world.
This massive shift in cultural migration is by no means negative. Markets have been created that were previously impossible. Injustices that have previously gone unnoticed have gained the attention they needed to be resolved. Friends have been found and families have been brought together in ways that would be considered unimaginable in the past. But with so much attention being diverted toward the online communities that individuals choose to pursue, I believe it is important to advocate for local communities as well.
While the positive effects of a globally connected world have improved our lives, it has had some drawbacks as
well. Recreational times for youth in previous generations would have consisted of playing outside. Now its more likely to be screen time. Industrial sites and company towns across the country have been downsized to a shell of their former glory. I’ve often heard tales of a past where everyone had their workplace, their home and a third location, which could be anything to break up the monotony of day to day life, like church, union lodge or club. Now days I often hear from my peers about how they long for something more to do outside of work and for a city where they can find that something. Although change is constant, we each have the power to change things.
Regardless of who or where you are, we are all humans and therefore, we are social by our vary nature. Being a part of a community, either actively or passively, is not only essential to our mental health but our spiritual health as well. Even if finding a satisfactory sense of belonging via the world wide web has been easier, it can be just as simple to do it the old fashioned way. Check in on your neighbors. Show up to your town hall. Support your local sports teams. Patronize a nearby start-up or “mom ’n pop” shop. Take the time to be apart of and develop your local community.
Nathaniel Abraham III represents the third generation of the Abraham family to work at the Carolina Panorama Newspaper. He was named a Rising Star by the Association of Community Papers in 2021.
