Community

Today I will attend a community meeting sponsored by our local civic association. The meeting will be focused on plans for development in our neighborhood. Major urban development on a large piece of available turf. This development will determine the quality of life of the thousands who now live here and the new residents who may populate the new buildings.

How exciting! This is a form of social democracy in action. My skepticism warns my enthusiasm: The exploiters also see this as an opportunity for fast profits with little regard for the public welfare. We recently fought the cramming in of three units on a tiny lot already occupied by six units of overcrowded rental housing, exploited for profit by an absentee landlord with a less-than-impressive reputation in the neighborhood.

Yesterday it snowed heavily here. I am tired from clearing paths and driveway. I could easily relax into a leisurely morning here. But this would not be living my humanist ideals. As a new resident, an older gay man who looks world-worn, I know I will not be readily included in the discussions. I will have to actively participate, if I want to add my opinion, knowledge or objection to the outrageous. This is the work of humanist practice.