November 01, 2003
Gated Communities
Another Halloween come and gone. Another Halloween essentially ignored. Not a single trick-or-treater this evening, and I'm left with a Costco-sized bag of Hershey's miniatures. Perhaps it's because I live in a one-street subdivision occupied solely by medical residents and the elderly (read: no kids). Perhaps it's due to the hot and humid weather we're having.
Or perhaps it's because of the gate.
I don't remember if I've mentioned this before, but I live in a gated community. This is not something I'm particularly proud of, and every time I click my opener and drive through the metal divide, I feel ashamed. If I had my druthers, that gate would be gone. Or at least permanently open. Yes, it's nice not to have to worry about soliciters or Jehovah's Witnesses, and perhaps it will "improve the resale value" of our home (so I've been told). But I'm more concerned with what I'm really keeping out of my perfect little neighborhood. Other people.
I want to know my neighbors, and not just those who happen to live on my street. I want to know the people in the development to my left and the apartment complex to my right. I want them to feel welcomed, not excluded. I want block parties and parades, I want to know my neighbor's names. I want children to ring my doorbell and demand candy, else they egg my house and TP my tree. I want a sense of community, that we're all in this together.
But the gate, in censoring and filtering the unwanted, blocks much, much more. It keeps out anyone who doesn't own land in our little tract. And I can't help but worry that this will become a breeding ground for prejudice and hate, all the while widening the socio-economic chasm. Perhaps it's different where you live, but in Charlotte, North Carolina and San Antonio, Texas, gated communities consist of middle to upper class white people - minorities need not apply. Oh, you may have your token retired Hispanic couple, your Asian med student, your Black lawyer. But this eurocentric utopia is a very white place, and I don't like it one bit.
When we bought our home, I thought the gate would prove to be a mere inconvenience, nothing more. I did not realize the social and economic implications of gated communities, and I'm afraid it's too late for me to make change. This has created conflict deep within me. The whole concept behind gated communities goes against everything I believe in, as a social worker, as a humanist, as a human. How can I, in good conscience, advocate for those in need when I retreat within the walls of my white-bread fortress every night? I may talk the talk, but can I walk the walk?
And here I stand, alone in my little world with five pounds of chocolate. I'm willing to share, but I can't seem to find anyone around here who's interested.
nesting - September 05, 2006
I'm here!! - August 25, 2006
Finally, some good news - March 02, 2006
The Day That Almost Was - February 26, 2006
can you keep a secret? - February 01, 2006
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