The "U" is before "I" in Community
Remember . . . that one time Troy and Abed were in the neeewwwsletter.
NOTE: This newsletter discusses the outcome of the 2024 US Presidential Election from the perspective of a white latinx American woman. While all audiences are welcome to read, the messages in the first half of this newsletter are speaking to fellow white women.
When I heard the results all I could think of was this sound from TikTok:
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Again, we find ourselves surprised that the nation is unmasking itself for all to see. We made the calls, wrote the postcards, answered texts from Kamala and Tim - how could we be here again?!!? </sarcasm>
I’ve been going through all of the feels the past few weeks and I still have a lot more to feel. What is clear is that everyone is talking about community. And while I personally believe that community will save us, that can mean many things to many people.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, community has two definitions:
a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common
a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals
I tend to think of the word community more in line with the first definition, and being in community as the second.
To me, being "in community" means being part of a group that shares a sense of belonging and purpose, where individuals support one another, celebrate differences, and grow together. It involves mutual accountability to uphold shared values, having difficult conversations to foster deeper understanding, and providing the resources and support each person needs to thrive. True community is built on trust, authenticity, and a commitment to each other's well-being—recognizing that we are all stronger when we come together as our unique, whole selves.
I’ve learned that white supremacy can make it hard to be in community with others, especially for those of us who are white. Marginalized communities have had to form to survive the oppression put upon them by white supremacy, so there wasn’t a need for white people to be in community with each other. Who needs accountability and shared resources when the system is built for you?
After WWII, we built a system that supported so many more white people. Before the war, rich white people benefited most from society. FDRs New Deal expanded programs for the working class and built in benefits like social security and medicare. Since then, these structures have been chipped away at and nothing has really come in to replace it. Again, this is nothing new for marginalized people because the system was never built to support them, but for those of us who were included in that wider vision having those structures collapse turned worlds upside down.
I’m not excusing the behavior of white people, I’m trying to show that the time for white people to understand what it means to be in community with each other is overdue. Our current system supports white rich people (I’m talking billionaires), if you are reading this chances are you are not one of those people. By learning what it means to be in community with ourselves and others we can take power back from the system and improve the lives of all of us. Being in community is how we can be the allies we really think we are. (I’m talking to myself here as much as anyone else.)
Greendale Community College: Your Path to a Brighter Future
So to help us get an idea of what community is and what it looks like, I thought what better place to turn then the halls of Greendale Community College? Turns out Community (the show) has many episodes that exemplify what it means to be in community.
Accountability
Season 1, Episode 23: "Modern Warfare"
This is the iconic paintball episode, where the group initially starts as rivals but eventually comes together to hold each other accountable and regain control of their campus. They realize they need to stop the chaos they helped create and work as a team to restore order. The episode shows how members of a community need to be accountable for their actions, especially when their behavior affects the larger group.
Season 3, Episode 10: "Regional Holiday Music"
In this episode, the group confronts Abed after he manipulates them into participating in the Glee Club’s performance. They realize that Abed's need for a perfect holiday has been pushing everyone into uncomfortable situations, and they call him out on his actions, forcing him to reflect on how he's impacting others.
Providing Resources and Support
Season 1, Episode 12: "Comparative Religion"
Shirley insists on throwing a Christmas party, but the group's diverse beliefs make it challenging. Eventually, they come together to support Jeff when he has to fight a bully, showing how providing emotional support, even when uncomfortable or not ideal, is key to being a community. Everyone's different backgrounds blend as they rally behind Jeff, providing the resource of their loyalty and solidarity.
Season 2, Episode 8: "Cooperative Calligraphy"
This episode, also known as the “bottle episode,” centers around Annie’s missing pen. The group commits to staying in the study room to find the pen, and in doing so, they provide each other with a sort of forced honesty. By the end, they realize that supporting one another means being present even in seemingly petty situations, as everyone’s needs matter within a community.
Having Uncomfortable Conversations
Season 1, Episode 7: "Introduction to Statistics"
In this episode, the group intervenes when they see Abed starting to detach himself from reality in an effort to be left alone. The group confronts him and makes an effort to bring him back into the fold, acknowledging how important it is to speak up when they see someone struggling, even if it makes things awkward.
Season 2, Episode 21: "Paradigms of Human Memory"
The study group has a meta conversation about all the times they've fought or come close to breaking up. This episode, through its flashbacks, highlights the uncomfortable truth about the dynamics of a close-knit group and their flaws. It's an honest reflection on how their actions and personalities affect each other, showing that a real community requires addressing those uncomfortable moments and embracing growth.
Season 3, Episode 4: "Remedial Chaos Theory"
This episode presents multiple versions of reality based on who gets the pizza. In each version, the dynamics of the group shift, bringing uncomfortable truths about their dependence on each other to the forefront. Eventually, they realize that they need each other in ways they weren’t acknowledging. It touches on accountability and the importance of everyone's role within the group.
Celebrating Individual Differences
Season 3, Episode 14: "Pillows and Blankets"
This episode, parodying a Ken Burns-style documentary, revolves around a pillow fight between Abed and Troy that escalates into an all-out war. The rest of the group attempts to mediate and help them reconcile. The conflict between Abed and Troy addresses the discomfort of friends having differences and how the community steps in to help them find common ground again, celebrating their individuality while encouraging reconciliation.
Season 5, Episode 3: "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
The group investigates the “Ass Crack Bandit,” and in the process, there’s a subtext about holding each other accountable to avoid creating toxic dynamics in their community. Jeff and Annie especially struggle with understanding their roles and intentions, having uncomfortable discussions that push them to grow.
What does community mean to you? How is it similar or different from what I’ve shared here? I’d love to hear from you.
On the podcast this week I’ll continue to share my thoughts on community and what in my childhood led me to thinking about it the way I do. I hope you’ll join me.
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of the newsletter. Unlike that book that Grover wrote, this is no monster here. Hope you’ll join us next week!
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