Community

Today when I see the word community, more than ever I think in terms of the global village. Community is to be human and vulnerable because we all have in some way fallen victim to some tragedy which made us feel somehow outcast. I have become increasingly macroscopic in my viewpoint over the years. 

When we deal with our own troubles we can navel gaze even if inadvertently and forget that others suffer for different reasons. The more I settled into a personal formula the better I could look up and appreciate the struggles of others.

Right now marginalized minorities are taking a beating in a world that is creeping towards authoritarian instincts. Transgender people at 1% of the population are of course among the most highly visible low hanging fruit particularly if you live full time and don't blend as well as you would like. It is the eternal struggle of the powerless against the powerful.

Still, I want to think more broadly and lump all of the powerless into the word community. Anyone who has ever felt less than deserves a shot at joy, freedom and feeling safe and accepted.

The other day I was at Jean Talon Market and a group of deaf women had set up a makeshift booth. They were collecting for their cause and once again the word community came to the forefront.