Community Quote by Jeff Shinabarger
““Leroy helped me process the reality that when we engage in the messiness and tension of a suffering community, we experience the positive and negative ways that people respond to that suffering. As a result, we live in the tension between desperation and excess; while we live in the black, others fight for survival in the red. This becomes a real aspect of community: struggling through loving our neighbors when our neighbors do not enjoy the same blessings we do.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Community Engagement Talk, Jeff Shinabarger, 2023
When we confront a community’s suffering, we encounter both supportive and harmful reactions, creating a tension between desperation and excess, highlighting the challenge of loving neighbors who lack our blessings.
In simple terms: Facing suffering reveals mixed responses and tension between need and excess.
Key Takeaway
Embrace empathy while recognizing complex community dynamics.
Themes
community
empathy
inequality
compassion
conflict
Mood
reflective
empathetic
serious
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- volunteering
- neighborhood support groups
- policy advocacy
- conflict mediation
Key Concepts
social dynamics
ethical tension
collective responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we sustain compassion when faced with unequal blessings?
- What strategies reduce tension between desperation and excess?
A Different Perspective
Not all community members will reciprocate support, and tension can breed resentment.
![“The social [media channel] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection, and community. That's what there's too little of in today's mediascape, despite all the hoopla surrounding social tools. The promise…” quote by Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c85/umair-haque-25881_beauty_the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-bea_1270.jpg)
