The Hollowing Out of "Community" in the U.S.: A Personal Reflection
I’ve spent nearly 3 decades studying and living in rural African communities, where community is a way of life, not a buzzword. I now partly live and work in the U.S., and I see the word community being misused everywhere. It’s slapped onto gyms, social clubs, and professional and online networks, but here’s the hard truth: if there’s an exchange of money, it’s not a community—it’s a business.
Charging fees for access creates exclusivity, not belonging. Whether it’s a “fitness community” that requires a subscription or a “networking community” disguised as a paid membership club, these spaces are built on transactions, not shared care. And this misuse of community is deepening the loneliness epidemic. Nearly 60% of Americans report feeling lonely, and it’s no wonder. When people are told that belonging comes with a price tag, they’re left feeling excluded and disconnected.
In rural African villages, I see what real community looks like every day:
Giving Selflessly: People share food, time, and help without expecting anything in return.
Sharing Responsibilities: Tasks like childcare and farming are done together, fostering trust.
Celebrating Together: Weddings, births, and harvests bring everyone together in shared joy.
Problem-Solving Collectively: Disputes and challenges are resolved as a group, with everyone contributing.
Providing Unconditional Support: In hard times, the community rallies, offering care freely and equally.
These communities are about connection, not commerce. They remind us that true community is rooted in mutual support, not profit.
In the U.S., the commercialization of community has hollowed out its meaning. It’s time to reclaim the word. A real community cannot be bought—it is built on selflessness, trust, and unconditional inclusion. It’s a commitment to each other’s well-being, freely given and freely received.
Let’s stop confusing transactions for connection.
Isn’t it time to build communities where everyone has a place—not just those who can afford one?