The pandemic exposed an epidemic of isolation and depression, but we had already been drifting that way.
In 2000, Harvard professor Robert Putnam published “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community.” Putnam used the decline of bowling leagues as an indicator of declining community. But, it was not just bowling. Participation in churches, labor unions and other groups that political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville called “voluntary associations” dropped off in the late 20th century. Putnam explored causes such as the rise of television, materialism and longer commutes.
Not too long ago every community in the Valley had a drama club, a reading club and a music club. The Kerman Music Club brought musicians in from all over the Valley for generations and continued until only a few years ago.
I did not understand it at the time, but when I joined the Fresno County Farm Bureau in the ‘90s, some of the old timers were lamenting the loss of the “centers.” For them, the farm bureau centered around the regional groups that met as communities in Selma, Easton, Sanger, Fowler and other areas around the county. I got involved with the farm bureau about policy and public education. For many of those folks, advocacy for agriculture was important, but so were their local communities.
Farming has always been about community. In every farm town in America, you can find a coffee shop where farmers gather to swap news, stories and yes — gossip.
Readers may remember former Fresno County Farm Bureau President AJ Yates. I recently heard a story about his dad. The brother of a shirttail relative of ours, Tom Von Flue, was hospitalized while in high school in the 1950s. AJ’s dad cultivated 90 acres of their family’s cotton while mom and dad were at the hospital caring for Tom’s brother. That is what a caring community looks like.
So, where am I going with all of this? Yes, we have lost a sense of community. My wife Sheryl’s grandparents spent a lot of evenings playing cards with their friends and neighbors. Sheryl and I spend a lot of nights watching television with dinner.
When I read “Bowling Alone,” I was left with the sense the problem was bigger than the solutions offered. Putnam suggests redesigning our cities, workplaces, education and technology. Putnam was looking at systemic solutions. I think this is a heart issue.
There is a lot of turmoil in our society right now. Much of it is economic as we consider inflation, fuel prices and housing affordability. These are always important. But, it seems that social media has torn the social fabric. There is a lot of “us vs. them” antagonism out there.
The news is full of young people promoting socialism. While income inequality is one of their concerns, I am beginning to think this loss of community is the root of their concerns and the rising sense of isolation we see.
Many are seeking solutions in politics. I do not think politics is a healthy replacement community. Yes, Aristotle noted we are creatures of the city. As we come together in cities, we use politics as a tool to learn to live together.
We don’t need to rearrange our social structures. We need to rethink who we are.
I am a pretty strong introvert. One thing I learned during the pandemic is how much I really do appreciate community and fellowship. It was easy to take for granted, like many things. But, we often only learn to appreciate things after they are taken away from us. I think many of us have learned that lesson.
Maybe we have reached the bottom of bowling alone and are ready to start relearning community in a new way. I think with our heritage, farm communities can lead the way on this.
Farmer, writer and educator, Paul Betancourt is a lecturer at Fresno State and has written books on Swiss political history and environmental policy.
