Age diversity required for community
An appreciation and contemplation of the apartment complex I live in.
By Nedroj
The corner of Haight and Failing is a normal place, but it shouldn't be. From there, take a few steps south and you'll find yourself at a fortress with a tall closed metal gate. Inside is a community, a kind of island in this part of the city. Children of this place play in its courtyard rather then crossing the street to the much grander Unthank Park.
In an apartment within the fortress I type this now and listen for the sound of children playing. At times their sharp noise is distracting, but so far never annoying. There is something good about this place that calls out against the cursed names. The children here are as diverse as a utopian ideal and it is as convenient as stepping out of their front door to play with each other.
Having moved a dozen or more times as a child I've been comparing this place to all the ones I've known with regards to community. I've concluded that this place is indeed an ideal.
School separates age near as absolutely as the law does. This is the norm of society and has been confused with the norm of humanity. Simply, people are healthier when they interact with others of all ages.
Tonight I will attend “The Ball For All”, a ball intended for people of all ages. This includes children, unless they aren't people too? I have been conditioned by school and law not to interact with those of a different age then me. I have played with the children in our courtyard, but it feels awkward and somehow wrong. I often feel like I must retreat to my apartment or leave to a place with a bouncer. I must recondition myself, and I hope this ball will help me accept those of a different age then me.
I have a younger brother and sister. Talking to them helps, but they are isolated in a house on a hill. Their conditioning has been much harsher then mine was.
My friends, all adults like me—I talk to them and none seem happy. I think now maybe it is simply because of the artificial lines of age that divide all that live in our society. Those living here like me, single adult alone, are by degrees coming out of their shells and interacting with their neighbors. It makes me happy to see this, and more to be a part of it.
Something is happening here to me. I think it is my optimism returning, and I think it has more to do with the children being a part of our community then any other simple explanation.