Last night was National Night Out (or, as the Canadians say, National Night Oot). I’ve never celebrated this night before, but last night we had the chance to go see a friend’s band play at a little party. It would have been a bike ride over there except it was well over 90 degrees. Everyone watching the band monitored the sun’s progress toward the top of the building across the street. Luckily, it soon dropped behind it.
The parking lot where the little block party was held is behind a cafe where our friend works. The cafe is a sign of progress: the growing popularity of restaurants using local foods, serving organic and delicious meals to many eager patrons.
As for National Night Out, I don’t think one night where a national organization tells you that you have to go out and make small talk with your neighbors is going to magically create a sense of community, but anything that makes such an effort is a step in the right direction.
And in ways, I think this country is going in the right direction. Believe me, I’m not talking about the nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court. But there is a quiet backlash, bigger than it might seem. Part of it is the movement against genetically modified foods; against corporate exploitation of the sacred; against stereotypes and bigotry; against meddling in your neighbor’s affairs; against war; against all the things we’ve become in the name of progress.
But, I try to be a positive guy. And thus I like National Night Out because it represents the other half of this backlash, which I would call the forward snap: a movement not against anything, but toward real community, toward understanding and independence, interdependence and empathy, not pride but humility. Like I said, I hadn’t partaken in the event before, but I enjoyed it not just for an opportunity to see how strange the people in my neighborhood can be, but how we’re all kind of strange in the same ways, or at least, just equally strange.
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Well said. It’s kind of weird to feel obligated to do something because someone says “it’s what you need to do”. The response to National Night Out seems to be growing every year. Unfortunately, my neighborhood doesn’t seem too keen on the idea. At least the owners of the meth factory 3 houses down from us have moved out, but it would be nice to meet more of my neighbors.
We Minnesotans are an interesting bunch when it comes to socializing in the neighborhood. We got 3 new neighbors over the course of a month last year. My wife and I thought we’d bring them some fresh baked goods as they were moving in, and to our surprise, we got some confused and shocked looks….kind of like “who the hell are you and why are you doing this???” It’s nice to try anyway…I still do. I like having a feeling of community, and we do have some fantastic neighbors.
Okay, I’ve rambled on too long now…I hope I made a little bit of sense.