Articles & Essays on Community

What is the relationship of the individual to the community?

Central Essay

Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail 

This powerful essay, written by King while he was incarcerated for his involvement in civil rights protests, addresses criticism from fellow clergymen regarding his nonviolent protests in Birmingham. King defends the necessity of civil disobedience in the fight against racial injustice, articulating his philosophy of nonviolent resistance and calling for immediate action to end segregation and discrimination.

Henry David Thoreau, Where I Lived, and What I Lived For 

"Where I Lived, and What I Lived For": Thoreau's essay reflects on his experiences living in solitude near Walden Pond. He contemplates the purpose of life and the value of simplicity, urging readers to embrace nature and live deliberately. Thoreau emphasizes the importance of self-reliance, individuality, and spiritual fulfillment in the pursuit of a meaningful existence.

Richard Rodriguez, Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood 

 "Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood": In this autobiographical essay, Rodriguez reflects on his experiences growing up as a bilingual Mexican-American in California. He explores the challenges and conflicts he faced in reconciling his identity and language heritage with the pressures of assimilation and education in American society.

Ellen Goodman, The Family That Stretches (Together) 

"The Family That Stretches (Together)": Goodman's essay reflects on the changing dynamics of modern families and the importance of adapting to new circumstances. She emphasizes the resilience of families in the face of challenges and encourages readers to embrace flexibility, communication, and mutual support to navigate the complexities of contemporary family life.

Lori Arviso Alvord, Walking the Path between Worlds 

Alvord's essay explores her journey as a Navajo woman pursuing a career in medicine while honoring her cultural heritage. She reflects on the challenges of balancing traditional Native American beliefs with Western medical practices and the importance of cultural competence and respect in healthcare.

Robert D. Putnam, Health and Happiness 

Putnam's essay examines the relationship between social connections and individual well-being. He argues that social capital—such as trust, reciprocity, and community engagement—plays a vital role in promoting both physical and mental health, highlighting the importance of strong social networks in fostering happiness and resilience.

Dinaw Mengestu, Home at Last 

I’ve known only a few people, however, that have grown up with the oddly

permanent feeling of having lost and abandoned a home that you never, in fact,

really knew, a feeling that has nothing to do with apartments, houses, or miles, but

rather the sense that no matter how far you travel, or how long you stay still, there is

no place that you can always return to, no place where you fully belong.

Scott Brown, Facebook Friendonomics 

We scrawl “Friends Forever” in yearbooks, but we quietly realize, with relief, that

some bonds are meant to be shed, like snakeskin or a Showtime subscription. It’s nature’s way of allowing you to change, adapt, evolve, or devolve as you wish and freeing you from the exhaustion of multifront friend maintenance.

Malcolm Gladwell, Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted 

There is strength in weak ties. . . . Our acquaintances — not our friends — are our

greatest source of new ideas and information. The Internet lets us exploit the power

of these kinds of distant connections with marvelous efficiency. . . . But weak ties

seldom lead to high-risk activism.

Poetry

Aurora Levins Morales, Child of the Americas 

Norman Rockwell, Freedom from Want (painting) 

Roz Chast, The Last Thanksgiving (cartoon) 

Nissan Motor Company, The Black Experience Is Everywhere

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Martin Luther King Jr., "Letter from Birmingham Jail": This powerful essay, written by King while he was incarcerated for his involvement in civil rights protests, addresses criticism from fellow clergymen regarding his nonviolent protests in Birmingham. King defends the necessity of civil disobedience in the fight against racial injustice, articulating his philosophy of nonviolent resistance and calling for immediate action to end segregation and discrimination.

Henry David Thoreau, "Where I Lived, and What I Lived For": Thoreau's essay reflects on his experiences living in solitude near Walden Pond. He contemplates the purpose of life and the value of simplicity, urging readers to embrace nature and live deliberately. Thoreau emphasizes the importance of self-reliance, individuality, and spiritual fulfillment in the pursuit of a meaningful existence.

Richard Rodriguez, "Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood": In this autobiographical essay, Rodriguez reflects on his experiences growing up as a bilingual Mexican-American in California. He explores the challenges and conflicts he faced in reconciling his identity and language heritage with the pressures of assimilation and education in American society.

Ellen Goodman, "The Family That Stretches (Together)": Goodman's essay reflects on the changing dynamics of modern families and the importance of adapting to new circumstances. She emphasizes the resilience of families in the face of challenges and encourages readers to embrace flexibility, communication, and mutual support to navigate the complexities of contemporary family life.

Lori Arviso Alvord, "Walking the Path between Worlds": Alvord's essay explores her journey as a Navajo woman pursuing a career in medicine while honoring her cultural heritage. She reflects on the challenges of balancing traditional Native American beliefs with Western medical practices and the importance of cultural competence and respect in healthcare.

Robert D. Putnam, "Health and Happiness": Putnam's essay examines the relationship between social connections and individual well-being. He argues that social capital—such as trust, reciprocity, and community engagement—plays a vital role in promoting both physical and mental health, highlighting the importance of strong social networks in fostering happiness and resilience.

Dinaw Mengestu, "Home at Last": In this reflective essay, Mengestu explores the concept of home and belonging as an Ethiopian-American writer. He reflects on his experiences navigating between different cultural identities and the search for a sense of place and identity in a globalized world.

Scott Brown, "Facebook Friendonomics": Brown's essay delves into the dynamics of social relationships in the digital age, particularly focusing on the impact of social media platforms like Facebook. He examines how online interactions influence social behavior and identity formation, challenging conventional notions of friendship and intimacy in virtual spaces.

Malcolm Gladwell, "Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted": Gladwell's essay questions the efficacy of social media activism in effecting social change. He argues that while social media platforms enable widespread communication and organization, they lack the depth and commitment necessary for meaningful activism, contrasting them with the sustained efforts of historical social movements.