The Inherent Humanity of Community
Dear Reader How strange it is to be part of a community, to be known by people, to know people. I sometimes sit in my bedroom with the window open to catch a breeze, and hear the opening notes to the prologue song from Disney's Beauty and the Beast over and over again, as some neighbor practices their piano. I notice another neighbor in her usual reading spot outdoors as I go on an irregular walk. My roommate makes me the same drink I always get at my favorite coffee shop, sometimes even before I arrive. A friend points out a frequent behavior of mine as a humorous mockery. Time and time again, I am reminded that I am human, and to be human is to be known, to commune, to be part of community. Humanity is an inherently social species, so much so that it is perhaps a major contributing factor to our survival and status now as a global species. We wouldn't have survived if not for our constant efforts to look out not only for ourselves, but for those around us. We are s...