3 Myths about Community
Myth: Community is defined by Interest/Association
REALITY: Unless the Community is interest based, like "fandoms" or gaming, shared struggle, history, and other defining characteristics are necessary
Interest of or Association by family relation, friendship or professionally does not actually make you a member of that community. It makes you a parent, friend, or professional who is also hopefully invested in being an advocate and ally.
EXAMPLE: being a friend to black people does not make a white woman a member of the black community or give her a right to attempt to lead/dominate the conversation.
Myth : Community is defined by Leadership/Spokesmen
REALITY: Persons or organizations attempting to be spokespeople for entire communities do exist, but the community exists with or without them.
Example: If the National Federation of the Blind shut its doors, there would still be a blind community.
REALITY: Leaders of organizations or groups have to make leadership decisions within those organizations. This does not mean they have a right or ability to run, or speak for an entire community.
Example: The Pope can make decisions within his Church, he would be scoffed at if he tried to make proclamations pertaining to the entire Christian community.
REALITY: Organizations,leaders,and personalities within communities are sometimes perceived as speaking for an entire community.
Examples
ISIS do not represent the entire religion of Islam. They may want to, even claim to, but they do not.
Al Sharpton does not speak for every person of color.
Temple Grandin does not speak for all autistics
Myth: Community is defined by companionship/solidarity.
REALITY: Not everyone in a community will be your friend
You cannot assume others will have your back, or always agree with you merely because you are a member of their community
BUT Members of closely knit groups sometimes feel compelled or are pressured to pick sides in personal disagreements. Its a pretty shitty spot to be put in.
Example: continuous interpersonal drama on group facebook pages
Personal Disagreements, Arguments, or other types of drama does not exclude you from the Community
REALITY: Communities disagree over issues continually.
Groups Develop Over How to Address Specific Issues/Ideology. Organizations are formed. Sometimes organizations work together, and sometimes they do not.
Disagreement over issues may result in exclusion from a group but does not exclude persons from the community
EXAMPLES
Every Religion Ever
Martin Luther King vs. Black Panthers
