What Is Community?

“To build community requires vigilant awareness of the work we must continually do to undermine all the socialization that leads us to behave in ways that perpetuate domination.” 

― bell hooks, Teaching Community

In an increasingly digital world, the word "community" has taken on a variety of meanings. It’s a term we often hear, but what does it truly mean to be part of a community? Whether it’s a neighborhood, an online group, or a shared interest circle, the essence of community lies in the connections, support, and sense of belonging it provides. Belonging is a core human need, and we are all looking for it especially in an increasingly isolated world. 

Today we see communities that transcend physical boundaries with the rise of online communities. But here at Bloodroot, we wanted to have more one on one interactions and focus on our local communities and what they might need. We wanted to give others a sense of belonging so they can feel less alone and that they are apart of something bigger than themselves. Another key aspect is providing support systems for folks in our area. We have done this by having fundraisers, making herbal medicine for those in need, while also gathering and sharing emotional and social support. 

Being part of a community fulfills one of our most basic human needs: the need for connection. But yet we all still find it really hard to truly connect. Why do you think that is? We have lost our way on how to be vulnerable, sometimes with very valid reasons, but nonetheless it holds us back from connection. At Bloodroot we want to have individuals share their joys, challenges, and offer a space to grieve or celebrate together. One ways that we have been providing a space to share grief is through our monthly death cafe, held every third Saturday of the month by Hanna at Acacia end of life services. 

Another quote from Bell Hooks that I love is:

“All too often we think of community in terms of being with folks like ourselves: the same class, same race, same ethnicity, same social standing and the like..I think we need to be wary: we need to work against the danger of evoking something that we don’t challenge ourselves to actually practice.” ― bell hooks, Teaching Community

This quote hits a very vulnerable topic. We may get swept away by this idea of “community utopia”, where we are all alike, and there is no disagreements. I want to challenge that and say that we must have conflict and differences to work through in order to achieve a whole and realistic community. However our togetherness focuses on a shared purpose of working together towards common goals and providing support for one another. 

Can you imagine if we all grew up in strong communities that focused on the well being of others and altruism? How do you think that wouldve shaped you? Communities play a significant role in shaping our identities. The values, beliefs, and traditions shared within a community influence how we see ourselves and the world. From cultural communities that preserve heritage to professional communities that drive industry standards, the groups we belong to contribute to our personal and social identities. Here at the shop we like to make sure our community events are all ages, so we can have young people learn about helping others who may have less than them. 

Of course we are faced with a lot of challenges in modern communities. The digital age, while expanding our ability to connect, has also introduced issues such as online echo chambers and superficial connections. Additionally, as communities grow, maintaining a strong, cohesive bond can become difficult. 

Building sustaining healthy communities requires intentionality. We want to have open communication, mutual respect, and inclusivity. We are proud of the events we have held here at the shop reflecting a lot of those traits. But the question still remains, is all of this sustainable? In today’s economy, the political terrain, and capitalism keeping us all very busy and isolated, sometimes it seems hard to reach and build. We know that sustaining these bonds takes a lot of time, and trust from other communities to know we are a safe space to collaborate with. 

Additionally we must look at our plant communities when working with them, and see how our relationship to them is building a reciprocal relationship instead of extraction. Our co-evolution with the plant kingdom is one that starts at the beginning of time. We have always depended on plants for food, medicine, shelter, ritual. And plants have always brought us together in either the act of gathering them, making food in community, ceremonial use, and using them to help us heal. Our connection to the plant world is one that runs all through every single one of our ancestors regardless of where we live in this world. We are loosing those relationships as well as the biodiversity of them through colonization, and extraction. Historically colonizers knew that people and their plant relationships gave them autonomy and community. And thus was something that was targeted to take away from us -This is still happening today! Here at Bloodroot we want to educate people on plants so we can build those relationships for people, and hopefully in return protect our plant communities too. 

So I ask you, what does community mean to you? How do you want to form intentional community? Are you looking for community? If so make sure to stop in at our events, or pop into the shop to chat with one of us and get to know us and what we are all about here. Because the bonds we form in our communities—both physical and virtual—will remain essential to our well-being and collective progress. 

 We look forward to meeting you! 

In solidarity 

Alex and Corinne