Reimagining Community and Security in Modern America

On the outskirts of Scottsdale, Arizona, a quiet residential neighborhood has transformed into a fortified enclave, resembling a miniature fortress rather than a typical suburb. Tall, imposing gates and vigilant security posts restrict access, creating a landscape that feels more like a guarded compound than a welcoming community. Each cul-de-sac is equipped with its own private gate, and many homeowners have installed barriers along their driveways, forming a layered defense system that separates residents from the outside world.

My initial reaction was one of surprise. Yet, the neighborhood’s security chief dismissed my concerns, asserting, “People shouldn’t be able to stroll casually into where you live. You need to protect yourself from the rest of the world.” He drew a parallel to national border security, comparing the neighborhood’s defenses to immigration controls designed to safeguard the nation’s borders, emphasizing that such measures are necessary for safety.

Contrasting Perspectives on Security and Compassion

This conversation struck a chord with me, especially considering my recent experience volunteering with migrant aid groups in southern Arizona. There, I encountered families in tattered clothing, their humble homes nestled along rugged desert paths-testaments to the desperation of those fleeing violence and hardship. I wondered how anyone could remain indifferent to such suffering. One volunteer’s response was blunt: “Talking about it is like talking to a wall.”

Exploring the Depths of American Social Divides

Over the past eight years, I have traveled extensively across the United States as an anthropologist, seeking to understand the roots of the deep divisions that fracture our national fabric. My journeys have taken me from North Dakota’s rural landscapes to the activist hubs of North Texas, from Iowa’s diesel-fueled truck stops to Florida’s pedestrian safety initiatives, and from Tennessee’s white nationalist rallies to environmental justice movements along the Hudson River. I’ve engaged in countless conversations-on park benches, in abandoned stores, and along country roads-each revealing different facets of American life.

These experiences form the foundation of my latest book, One Thing Between Us: The Daily Partitions of American Life, and Easy Ways to Break Them Down. I argue that the United States stands at a crossroads, torn between a politics rooted in suspicion and withdrawal, and a more hopeful vision of mutual aid and collective resilience. Through honest dialogue and genuine understanding, I believe we can bridge the gaps that divide us.

Understanding Fear and the Need for Connection

One vivid example of America’s fractured landscape unfolded in Shelbyville, Tennessee, in October. I approached a Nepali woman at a gas station, sensing her anxiety. She simply smiled and said, “Anxious.” That Saturday morning, the town hosted a “White Lives Matter” rally organized by the League of the South, a white separatist group allied with the broader white nationalist movement. The atmosphere was tense-roads were blocked, helicopters hovered overhead, and riot police in full gear lined the streets.

This rally echoed the violence of Charlottesville in 2017, where clashes resulted in injuries and the death of Heather Heyer. The Shelbyville event was similarly orchestrated by groups advocating for racial segregation and white supremacy. As I approached the rally site, I was stopped at barricades and subjected to security checks, a process that, surprisingly, fostered a strange camaraderie with the white nationalists-an unspoken acknowledgment of shared vulnerability amid the chaos.

Encountering Extremism and Its Roots

During the event, I struck up a conversation with a man from Alabama, wearing a MAGA hat and draped in an American flag. He expressed frustration with the current state of affairs, hinting at a longing for a return to what he saw as traditional American values. Later, I observed a group of young men in quasi-military formation, chanting slogans like “Closed borders! White nation! Deportation now!” Some bore tattoos of swastikas and KKK symbols, a stark reminder of the fascist undercurrents fueling such gatherings.

Amidst these displays, I also met individuals with more nuanced perspectives. One man from Brooklyn, now in his 40s, shared his admiration for the rally’s cause but also reflected on America’s history of immigration and cultural diversity. We discussed the contributions of Indian doctors in the U.S., including my own family’s story, highlighting that the nation’s strength lies in its diversity. Yet, he insisted that coexistence is difficult, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing one’s own community’s well-being before extending help outward.

Reimagining Community as a Space of Hope

While some see community as a fortress-defended against outsiders-others envision it as a space of cultural resilience and transformation. An inspiring example is the Denton Women’s Interracial Fellowship in North Texas, formed in the 1960s to challenge segregation. I was privileged to meet many of these courageous women, who fought to desegregate their town’s streets, schools, and public spaces.

In the early 20th century, Denton’s Black community thrived in Quakertown, a prosperous neighborhood with its own institutions. But white civic leaders later displaced this community, demolishing its homes and replacing them with white-only parks. Despite this, residents rebuilt their neighborhood and organized to fight back. Alma Clark, then 89, recounted how Black women in Denton worked tirelessly-cooking, cleaning, caring for children-to support their community and challenge systemic neglect.

In the 1960s, Clark and her peers formed the Denton Ladies’ Interracial Fellowship, opening their homes to foster dialogue and solidarity. Their efforts led to tangible improvements-paving streets, installing streetlights, registering Black voters, and promoting racial harmony. Today, murals and memorials honor their legacy, reminding us that community can be a space of resistance and hope, not just fear and division.

The Power of Neighborliness and Collective Care

In a world increasingly fractured by political and social upheaval, the idea of neighborliness remains vital. It embodies the potential for collective care-small acts of kindness that reaffirm our shared humanity. I recall a moment in Michigan, where I met a retired mechanic who, despite his political views, offered his phone number and a gesture of friendship. I responded by leaving a pie on his doorstep, symbolizing the simple yet profound act of neighborly trust.

Such gestures are fragile but essential. They remind us that even amid rising xenophobia and authoritarian tendencies, the capacity for kindness persists. As Toni Morrison observed, our fear of the “other” often stems from an internal estrangement-a disconnection from our own sense of belonging. Rebuilding that sense of community requires us to see beyond superficial differences and recognize the bonds that unite us.

Moving Toward a More Inclusive Future

Ultimately, fostering a sense of collective belonging involves reimagining the spaces we inhabit-whether in our neighborhoods, cities, or the nation as a whole. It demands that we challenge the partitions that divide us and embrace the diversity that strengthens us. As I reflect on my travels and encounters, I am convinced that the path forward lies in cultivating empathy, understanding, and shared purpose.

We must rekindle the open spirit of kinship that allows us to see others not as threats but as fellow travelers. Only then can we hope to build a society where community is rooted in hope, resilience, and mutual respect-an enduring foundation for a more just and compassionate America.

– Anand Pandian, Professor of Anthropology at Johns Hopkins University. Excerpts adapted from his book, One Thing Between Us: The Daily Partitions of American Life, and Easy Ways to Break Them Down. Illustrations by Peter Gamlen.