Is There Still Space for Real Community in America?
“Community” is one of those words we use often but rarely stop to define. It shows up in mission statements, political campaigns, and neighborhood Facebook groups. We like to think of community as something automatic—if we live in the same place, work toward the same goals, or share certain values, we are in community. But the reality is more complicated.
True community, the kind that fosters belonging and accountability, isn’t just about proximity. It’s about a willingness to share space through discomfort, to recognize each other’s differences as strengths rather than threats. It’s about justice—not just as an idea but as a daily practice.
So, the real question isn’t can we have community in America, but rather, are we willing to do what it takes to build it?
The Challenge of Real Community
It’s easy to be in spaces where we feel comfortable. Many of us have built lives around being surrounded by people who think, vote, and experience the world in ways similar to us. But what happens when those carefully constructed bubbles meet reality?
Community isn’t tested in moments of ease. It’s tested in moments of tension—when histories collide, when identities challenge assumptions, when discomfort arises.
Justice-minded people often speak about the importance of inclusion, but inclusion without a commitment to equity can quickly become performative. Real community doesn’t just invite people in; it shifts to make space for them to thrive. That requires deep listening, a willingness to be changed, and an acceptance that shared space is not always easy space.
Courage and Commitment
For community to be more than an idea, people have to show up with courage. Courage to listen rather than defend. Courage to acknowledge harm rather than explain it away. Courage to be part of something bigger than personal comfort.
This looks like:
Engaging across difference without retreating. Discomfort is not a sign to leave; it’s a sign that something real is happening.
Committing to accountability. Justice requires more than good intentions—it requires action, correction, and learning.
Building relationships beyond convenience. Community isn’t just about moments of crisis; it’s about sustained connection.
Letting go of control. For those used to leading, true belonging means learning when to listen, when to follow, and when to make space for others to lead.
Making Space for What’s Possible
America has never been a perfect place for community, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It just means that those of us who believe in justice have to build it with intention.
Real community isn’t neat. It’s not always comfortable. But it is necessary.
So, is there space for it? That depends on us.