Pointless Overthinking

Question of the Day: No. 516

Proposed by SnapDragon X.

Trees Such As These, 2021.
West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA.
Original Photo by SnapDragon X.
All rights reserved.

What about your community makes you most proud?

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Go ahead, leave a comment! You know you want to.

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SnapDragon is a writer who rather enjoys old cartoons.

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38 thoughts on “Question of the Day: No. 516”

  2. That’s really tough. First I’d have to define my community. I’m a part of many different communities.

    Then I’d have to come up with a definition of pride I could work with. I don’t think I have felt proud about many things in my life. Pride is an uncomfortable emotion for me.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your comment, Fred. And you’re right: we can define ‘community’ in many different ways. And, come to think of it, the same goes for ‘pride’! 😀

      Reply

  3. New Jersey is the most diverse state in the US. One local public school district has students who are native speakers of 38 languages. A visit to the local grocer bears a vague resemblance to a stroll through Heathrow. I adore the mix of people, perspectives, customs and food. However, this is why large portions of the South and Midwest have trouble relating to us.

    Reply

    1. It’s not the diverse population people from the South have trouble relating to. Believe it or not, our populations are fairly diverse as well. It’s the policies.

      Reply

      1. Apart from Prince William County and the Dallas metro area, most of the south isn’t diverse, and a lot of folk still think its the 1800s. The area is poorly prepared for a future in which 40% of existing jobs disappear and aren’t replaced. In the worst case, Mississippi requires Federal jobs and subsidies, which basically amounts to a transfer of money via Federal coffers from the rich coastal states to the needy. Tennessee at least has enabled access to community colleges, a step in the right direction. You’re right, there are differences in policies, which is why I won’t return to where I grew up.

      2. When I take my afternoon walk in my neighborhood, I pass neighbors who are black, white, Hispanic, Indian, Arabic, Somalian, gay, transgender…I don’t think you can get much more diverse than that. Same when I shop the local stores. I don’t know where you grew up, but there are ignorant people everywhere, even in the “rich coastal states.” And I agree about the disappearance of jobs from the United States that negatively affects the poor and middle class, which is being caused by companies taking their businesses to countries where they aren’t as heavily regulated and can pay slave wages, thus making themselves even richer.
        The Midwest and South still produce a good portion of the crops grown in this country used for food, the lumber industry, etc. We can’t all work in Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and various jobs in IT (which imports cheaper labor from foreign countries, displacing college graduates here). We, as a country, outsource far too many of our jobs, making us vulnerable to the whims of foreign governments. At the rate we are going, the Chinese will soon own us—if they don’t already.
        None of this affects me; financially, I am well off. But I do care about future generations and the policies that affect them. And when we begin to see “our” side is the only right way, and the “other side” as evil and/or ignorant,” we do all our countrymen a great disservice.

      3. I agree with many of your points on this post. A remaining issue is China’s threat to the value of the US dollar, which would directly undermine your wealth. China want the yuan to replace the dollar as the international trading currency.

      4. I think China bears watching. I’m hoping our government doesn’t climb into bed with them (no more than they already have); I think that would be a huge mistake.
        And I am not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination, just well situated going into retirement, IF something like you mentioned doesn’t happen.

  4. As a pilot I would say our professionalism/work ethic. As a member here on WordPress I would say everyone’s desire to help/inspire each other. Wishing you well Snap 🙏

    Reply

  9. I’m a Portland, Oregon native and I’ve lived many, many places around the country and keep coming back.
    I’m very proud to live in what I think is the best town on the West Coast. But like another mentioned, finding the right scope for community and pride is the challenge, and on many levels, the people of Portland can be something to be situationally proud of or ashamed of. As a gay man, that is especially true of the gay community here. It’s the second largest LGBT+ household city in the US, yet I constantly feel there is no “unity” in that community.
    So, through a very narrow filter, my default pride goes to the people’s appreciation of our region’s natural beauty and commitment to preserve it.

    Reply

    1. I love Portland! I’ve only visited once, but fell in love. It would be a long trek from PA, but my husband and I would love to take our RV there! So beautiful.
      Anyway, thank you for such a thoughtful comment, friend. I have experienced similar divisions in supposedly “welcoming” communities, namely Academia. Nevertheless, let us continue to work toward greater unity.🕊

      Reply

  13. This is a tough question to answer. I straddle several different communities. Ultimate frisbee teams, church congregation, work colleagues, writing groups, local area around home. What I think I love most, is that most people share positivity as often as they can.

    Reply

    1. It sounds like you are a part of many wonderful groups, Hamish. That’s great! And I love the idea that most people want to share positivity; sometimes it’s easy to forget that. 🕊

      Reply

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