Communis comes from a combination of the Latin prefix com- (which means "together") and the word munis probably originally derived from the Etruscan word munis- (meaning "to have the charge of"). Since the advent of the Internet the concept of community no longer has geographical limitations. People can now virtually gather in an online community around common interests no matter their physical location.
Community Education
paideia (παιδεία) means "education" or "instruction, it is the the idea of perfection, of excellence. Be it physicality and courage; the excellence of the mind or wit necessary for winning;
The agoge (Άγωγή) meaning guidance or training. The aim of which was to produce physically and morally strong males, for girls traits such as grace and culture were frowned upon, in favor of physical tempering and moral rectitude.
The training involved learning stealth, cultivating loyalty to one's group, military training, hunting, dancing and social preparation.
It was the basis of community.
Ask a dozen people how they define community today and you get a dozen different responses. Often time one can describe community as a “know it when I feel it” answer. That is the way we need to remember the goal of community building – not just a means to an end, but an end to itself.
We mustn’t lose sight of the experiences and lessons of being an afflicted people, but we shouldn’t let it cloud our ability of also being a dreaming people. May we always continue to dream of futures – near, far and ultimate. To keep painting the sky with those dreams even as we guard against the danger that often confronts us. Create avenues that strengthen that belief in youth and adults alike.
Use the flawed language we possess. Yes, language is deeply political. The labels we give to things, the ideas evoked by a particular word or phrase, are a double-edged sword. They allow the possibility of knowing more, and of being controlled or misled.
We talk and write in contrasting ways. We talk over one another and beyond one another. Meanings, metaphors, images and stories to which we have access mean different things to different people. We are indeed a people seperated by a common language. The material and social conditions in which we live foster contrasting ideas of what is important and what is not; and what is possible.
To gain control over these conditions under which we struggle we need to act collectively. Together.
Unity is everything, community is more.
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