Burlington High School
Burlington, Kansas
Teacher: Devra Parker
All as One
By Pamela Foster
12th Grade
There is a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. that says “we must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” I believe this to be very true of the term community. It takes effort on all parts to achieve this. Community is not environment that can be formed in the blink of an eye; it takes time. I feel that in order to achieve community, we must learn to understand one another, bringing everyone together to act…in unity.
... Community is a never ending cycle. In my opinion it is like a wagon wheel with a rag tied to it. The rag is fastened tight to keep it from moving; therefore, as the wheel turns the number of revolutions can be counted. This was done to record the amount of miles that the wagons traveled. As the wheel rotates, the rag moves around and around. There are the high points and then there are periods of time when the rag is being dragged through the mud and snow. However, the wagon keeps moving. If there is a problem with the wheel, someone will take the time to fix it so that the journey can go on. In a community, people work together through the good times and the bad for it to move forward.
I would have to say that the world [is] the largest Community out of all. This planet has thrown out its tempests, tearing up the land, wars have come to pass over the years, and countries have been stricken with anguish and poverty. However, each person has a desire to continue on to better himself and his life. Our desire is what brings everyone into what I consider a community.
The United States of America is the best example a group of people working together as one. The founders of this country did not want us Americans to live in disarray and turmoil; they wanted everyone in this country to feel peace and freedom. We are all united in this Nation. Every citizen has the freedom of life liberty and, of course, the pursuit of happiness. With these rights…we are able to work together and feel a sense of community.
There have also been numerous natural disasters that have affected us in the past years. The hurricanes have truly taken a toll on the coasts. Our nation always seems to be able to work together to pull us out of the shock and devastation and build back what was destroyed. In addition, America has been involved with many wars. This country has had amazing patriotism and has supported the troops and the government…. There will never be a time when this country will be totally free from its trials. Nevertheless, I have confidence that as a united nation, we can pull through.
The town that I live in at the moment is very close. Everyone knows everybody’s business, and sometimes it is not all that consoling. However, the smaller towns always seem to be the most pleasant and orderly. When I lived in the city, I enjoyed the fact that almost nobody knew me. After a while I began to miss the intimacy of the small town and the old friends and family that I had left behind. Now, I enjoy participating in the local activities that the town offers and the small town school that I attend. It is so wonderful to be in a place where I can learn and grow with the help of close friends and neighbors. The closeness of my small town is definitely a wonderful example of a functional community.
I have a large family that is also very close knit. Many believe that big families are usually very loud and that they never get along. My home is in actuality a peaceful place to be on most days. We have our imperfections… Though, nobody’s family will ever be perfect…. As I have explained before, communities are, in my opinion, a group of people working together as one. My nuclear family strives to do just that, so that we will be functional and happy.
I do not live with my extended family. It is not common that a family is found here in the United States, living with their both their parents, grandparents or in-laws. Though my family is far away, they constantly keep in touch with us. We do have some reunions and my grandparents visit periodically. I believe that is what keeps us in unity.
I have several very interesting ancestors. They did not exactly have the same beliefs that my living family does now. On the other hand, they had our traits and have created a huge impact on my life and my extended family’s lives. They are the people who have shaped who we are today.
The last and what I consider the dearest community is the companionship of my close friends. Every girl needs someone who will listen to her and support her throughout her trials. I have found many people that I know are friends to me and have somewhat the same beliefs. They help to keep me sane in this complicated world….. In our friendship, we work together to achieve similar goals that we set together.
Communities are what create and shape our lives. The world would be in absolute chaos and contention if people aren’t willing to work together to make it peaceful. Community is not always easy to bring about; though, it can be done and has [worked] since the beginning of time.