Anthony
Appiah explored the concept of cosmopolitanism, in particular, the
responsibility we have to balance our roles as citizens of humanity (the
aggregate), as well as individuals (uniquely defining ourselves). With that in place, I’d like to move onto my
main point.
Now, some
disclosure; I’m a born and raised New Yorker and so carry some biases. But
despite the stereotypical reputation that it seems to have outside of the East
Coast, I would reject the idea that everyone in New York is somehow less
considerate and are self-interested, self-centered or lacking “politeness”.
The borough of Queens, where I live, is the most diverse
area in the world for its geographic size. On the contrary, then, I would posit
that it is a miraculous feat that a patchwork diversity of 8.5 million people
city-wide manage to live with each other in a relatively successful societal
format – at the very least without actually
killing each other.
Riders of the New York Subway and Long Island Railroad have little choice in participating in the daily lessons of inter-personal relations they unknowingly prescribe to in their daily commute.
(Image from Wikipedia, Available at http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Penn_Station.jpg)
Manufactured
elements of society help to do this. Professional sports teams aid in
simultaneously dividing, yet uniting us. Rivalries, such as the Red
Sox-Yankees, can have the ill effect of forming a wedge of sectionalist
tensions (between cities for example) – but interestingly provide a unique
sense of camaraderie in the process.
Despite a city in
ruins from the recent disaster of Hurricane Katrina, people in New Orleans
gather in the streets at a city parade in celebration of the Saints’ victory in
Super Bowl XLIV.
Ultimately,
however, elements of society, such as sports or the subway, are not unique or
singular means of communicating our responsibility to mankind – but mediums for
doing so. Aside from societal practices we implement, natural instinct seems to
play a factor as well. The most recent example of this is the disaster of
Hurricane Sandy.
Video from ABC News (Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GDMiFrHXIQ)
As we
observe in the video, circumstance undeniably forces individualism – the focus
of one’s own life and well-being – to surrender to community dependence,
reinforcing Appiah’s point that both are necessary values to uphold in human
society. In this case, we see larger, national organizations, as well as
individual volunteers, coming to the assistance of localities. Even the imagery
of the video itself – scenes of the destruction of the Jersey Shore, and people
crying of the loss of their homes – elicits of us something greater, outside of
ourselves.
I’d argue
then that cities, contrary to the typical perspectives, avail us to a great
opportunity of cosmopolitanism. That is, with so many people in a consolidated
area, we – whether we like it or not – are forced to take in the lessons of
humanity. Consequently, through social
and societal practice, we are endowed with the opportunity to learn about other
cultures – which may help in defeating malignant elements that impede in
achieving Appiah’s goals for cosmopolitanism.
of our society, such as racial or gender discrimination. Ultimately
though, whether we prescribe to a small town or a big city format, the
structures we build for society are universal in emulating a balance of
individualism and community that is livable and acceptable to all.
I've only been to NYC twice, so my knowledge is limited, but I do have knowledge from coming from a very diverse community as well and Im not sure I think the "New York attitude" is a contradiction to the societies cosmopolitanism. My understanding and vibe I get from New Yorkers are that they are always in a rush, a little rude and into their own worlds, and responding to the latter, why shouldnt they be? Its not that I condone an exclusive attitude, but it is important that different interest groups stay separate so that they can keep their cultures rooted in tradition. I think most New Yorkers are respectful of that, and I think New Yorkers do a good job of that considering they arent "actually killing each other." I think when a community has such a diverse population, there has to be some self separation so that when these differences do interact, there is still a level of respect maintained.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great blog and a very effective way of applying Appiah's idea of cosmopolitanism to the East Coast. I am from a small town in Michigan and find your final point to be spot on. Everything from the Police Department to the City Council is built in order to create the right balance between individualism and community. On a day to day basis, citizens must practice individualism in the country as they have little interaction with others, in caparison to to big city. At the same time, structures such as the city council, work to put on events such as town fairs to bring everyone together and create a sense of community.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree, I think that cities tend to differ from more rural communities in the aspect that you engage in a different type of upbringing. I was born and raised in Detroit, MI, and I feel that my experiences in a big city surrounded by so many people from so many backgrounds has allowed me to feel more comfortable, as well as more likely to interact with others, no matter who they may be. The living experience you get from an ever-changing environment flowing freely with people whom you may or may not know allows for a great scope into societal interactions on a large scale.
ReplyDelete