Re: Did your community celebrate last night?
From: Carol Agate (carolagatemac.com)
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 06:59:58 -0800 (PST)
In the rather distant past I might have been concerned about excluding conservatives. But with our recent experience with conservatism it is diametrically opposed to the values that are a part of cohousing. I wouldn't find it comfortable to be a part of a community in which people were unconcerned about global warming, believed saving embryos is more important than doing research to save the lives and health of living people, did not think it was a basic right to have medical care, believed low taxes are more important than education, were opposed to equal rights for gays and lesbians, etc. As long as the Republican party espouses values so completely antithetical to mine, I am not looking for political diversity.

Carol



On Nov 5, 2008, at 9:51 AM, Ann Zabaldo wrote:


Hello all!

I've been reading all the posts on how communities celebrated the
election last night.  An historic moment.  I share in your joy.

I also have a question that's been on my mind for a few years ...

Is there room for conservatives in cohousing?  Or are we islands of
liberal/progressive thought?  (Not saying this is "bad" or "wrong." --
just curious ...)

The reason I got involved in cohousing is that I immediately saw this
social structure as one road to peace in the world.  (If we can figure
out how to live together in small communities maybe we can tackle the
Middle East.)  So I'm always looking for mutuality, inclusivity and
connection in cohousing.

I know there ARE some conservative folks in cohousing -- out there
somewhere -- but I wonder how welcome we make them feel when it looks
as if there is "A" kind of political leaning?

For instance ... the question posed in this thread wasn't:

What did your community do on election night?

But rather:

Did your community CELEBRATE last night?   (emphasis mine)

The implication of this question is that clearly cohousing and
cohousers are Obama supporters.   Which is highly likely TRUE ... I'm
just wondering where "inclusivity" and "diversity" are in this picture?

Personally, I've always understood cohousing to be non-ideological --
all are welcome.  Maybe not?

This is NOT an indictment of all the celebrations that went on last
night (and may still be going on!)  There's LOTS to celebrate!  AND if
cohousing is to reach its full flowering then it must be a possibility
for ALL people -- not just liberal/progressive people.

Ok.  You can now start throwing bricks and tomatoes at me!

:-)


Best --

Ann Zabaldo
Takoma Village
Washington, DC
Principal, The Cohousing Collaborative
McLean, VA

PH: 703 663 3911
FAX 202 291 8594


On Nov 5, 2008, at 9:12 AM, Craig Ragland wrote:


Only in cohousing... my experiences last night

- Over our common-house dinner, of about 30 folks, we listened to
returns on NPR

TEXT CLIPPED

Hooray for good neighbors - and this chance to celebrate!

Craig Ragland
Songaia member since 1992
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