A community is a group of people that share same commonality such as, values, traditions, religion, customs or identity. The term community has originated from two latin words ‘com’ and ‘Munis’. These two words mean ‘together’ and ‘servicing’ respectively. Community may share a sense of geographical region (e.g. country, town, place of origin or may be neighborhood) or indirect communication. Definitely, a community is a group of people who share something in common and these people have shared characteristics among them. In order to build a strong community, it requires to have the ability to accept others who may be differ or similar from you regardless of gender, age, race and etc. For the most part, it’s very obvious and normal that people that lived in a certain geographical area may develop and adopt similar characteristics, ethics and values, however these people will not relate in terms of moral principles.
The definition of community is too broad and also sophisticated, because the term can be used in a narrower and broader sense. In a narrower sense, community refers to a particular group of people such as the community of X, but in a broader sense, community refers to a larger group such as a nation or community of ABCD. In the past communities were locally based and lived in small area. Also had some type of genealogy relationship (relatives, families). Most importantly communities have had similar identities and backgrounds and this was due to lack of transportation and communication because people didn’t travelled far distance from one-another. Furthermore, traditional community used to be a sign of unity, bring people together to support each other, and overcome obstacles in certain times. Historically definition, community was a group of people lived in one geographical location and shared similar identities or values. Somehow, nowadays the meaning itself has shifted from traditionally to modern term. In these days, people tend to choose their own community and express their identities and goals through these communities.
Today’s world most people will have to rely on a community for different reason. Some rely on a community for protection, religious purpose, sports, education and etc. The fact that communities have considerably likeness and also share similar identities and values, but somehow its existence needs to be justified. According to Graham Lampa from imagining the blogosphere “how can a community be said to exist among individuals, the vast majority of whom have never met one another and do not communicate with one another”. Regardless of Graham’s argument about the existence of community, in my opinion I believe that community will always exist and strive regardless of the outcome.
Thus, being part of a community is an essential part of our existence in this world. Because we all belong to a certain group or community and live together in a way that we share common things such as strength and interpersonal connection and this is what distinguishes us from one other. Every community is unique and differ from one-another
MLA Citation:
- Munda, Puja. “Community: Essay on Community (737 Words): Sociology.” Your Article Library, 24 Feb. 2014, www.yourarticlelibrary.com/essay/community-essay-on-community-737-words-sociology/6236.
- Pfortmüller, Fabian. “What Does ‘Community’ Even Mean? A Definition Attempt & Conversation Starter.” Medium, Together Institute, 7 Feb. 2020, medium.com/together-institute/what-does-community-even-mean-a-definition-attempt-conversation-starter-9b443fc523d0.
- McShane, Owen. “Losing Touch With the Changing Definition of ‘Community.’” Losing Touch With the Changing Definition of “Community” | Newgeography.com, 19 Sept. 2009, http://www.newgeography.com/content/001045-losing-touch-with-changing-definition-community.
Abdiwahab Ali 