Thought of the month: community.
Definition: a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
Mayan translation: k'i'inil
No person is an island. Humans are, by our nature, social creatures. Sure, some need more social stimulation than others, but without it, we would eventually cease to function. This isn’t just theory, but fact —one of humanity’s biggest killers, over smoking, is loneliness. (And smoking without any social interaction? Forget about it.)
I have been on my travels this month, exploring the vibrant country of Mexico. Just… Wow. The colours. The food. The sights. But above all else? The people. The warmth and kindness of the Mexican people is something we should all aspire to. In the city of Merida, every evening locals gather in the main two squares to watch musicians and street performers on stages, which are built into the architecture of the city — designed with public performance in mind, for shared experience to foster, which I believe to be one of the most powerful ways of forming relationships and communities. It is an ecosystem which has community at its heart. Each night we’ve danced salsa, with the entire dance floor teeming with people, inviting one another to dance. In one location, a little old lady held out her hand to me. She was Yucutan’s answer to Shakira. Man, this woman’s hips don’t lie.
Being approached by strangers (okay, largely men) to dance would feel totally bizarre in London. (…Particularly with the quantity of hip action involved). But here? It is as normal as ordering a beer. Of course there is a balance to strike, and I’m not asking all London men to put down their pints and come salsa-ing over to me. However, it has now become so rare for people in London to meet in their local communities organically; ironically it is now far more normal for people to meet those living in their local vicinity via dating apps. Sometimes this is fruitful, but the culture and convenience of these apps can create an apathetic attitude to initiating connections with others in real-life scenarios.
On our final night in Merida, we gathered in the main outdoor square for a free festival of traditional Mexican dance and music. The square was glowing, spilling at the edges. We got chatting to the local women behind us where we were from and where we were going next (I’ve been using these opportunities to test out my stuttering Spanish, which seems to be somewhat limited the phrase “muy bonita”). All the while, hundreds of people sat beside each other, sharing in the performances: clapping, laughing, dancing. A little child circled the square, tying the community up in a bow.
I’m not saying that spaces like this don’t exist in the UK. However, they are heavily monetised and far less regular. Stuck in the London lifestyle as I am, immersing myself in these community driven spaces does ignite a feeling that is missing from my home city. In our everyday western lives, our experiences have become fragmented. We typically consume content on our phones as individuals, as opposed to regularly sharing experiences as part of a local community. The latter brings a collective consciousness amongst local people, making us feel like we are each part of something greater, rather than separate individuals cohabiting the same space, yet having deeply contrasting experiences of life. For example, millions of people co-habit London tubes daily; in theory these could be spaces of bustling community, with opportunity to meet new people. But instead, it’s the polar opposite. The tunnel vision mentality (pardon the pun) in these spaces make one feel even more isolated, despite being surrounded by carriages of other humans. I am guilty of this also. Some months ago, I was standing on the tube. When I looked up from my phone, I noticed that a pregnant woman sat on her elderly mother’s lap in the priority section. Meanwhile, far younger people sat beside her on priority seats, all on their phones. Upon seeing this I eventually plucked up the courage to ask one of them to move, to give space to the woman, who refused at first, but eventually took it. The person giving up the seat seemed genuinely non-the-wiser, and apologetic. I don’t think there was any ill intent of the people on the tube. But would a situation like this have happened in Merida? Carelessness is something that runs rampant in London lifestyle. But looking up from ones phone and being an active participant in our surroundings can have a powerful impact.
I’ve always struggled with travelling. I have an ongoing battle in my head: my need for outcomes from my pursuits makes the potential aimlessness of travel a scary prospect. However, it’s something I’m learning to relinquish. So much can be discovered through aimless wonder. Perhaps I’m seeing things through Mexican-multi-coloured-tinted glasses, but it also pushes one to be more cognisant of our surroundings. There is an art to travel; a big part of its value is seeing different ways of living. This can open one’s mind, helping us to reflect on the passive habits we are caught in, and bring new practices into our lives: what I’ve been reminded of, in Mexico, is how one bit of kindness can go a long way. Since experiencing more kindness around me, I’ve felt more naturally compelled to pass kindness on. Emotions are contagious. There is so much we cannot control as individuals, but practising empathy for others is one of the few ways we can bring more joy in times of confusion and loneliness. It cultivates a culture of warmth which radiates through communities. With so many in the UK battling loneliness, more looking up from our phones, experiencing things as a collective, engaging in one another and partaking in our surroundings can have ripple effects.
NEWS & EVENTS
Okay, ponder over. Places to be!
12th April: Hastings Rocks Film Festival. Back of the Net is screening at this wonderful festival. I spent much of my childhood in Hastings, so this feels particularly special! This line-up looks fantastic, strongly recommend to the sussex film fans! Tickets: https://www.rocksfestivals.com/screening.html
12th April: Poppy Jasper Film Festival. Meanwhile, I will sadly not be on the English south coast but by the US west coast, where Back of the Net is playing on the exact same day. Anyone on this mailing list happen to be near San Jose? Tickets: https://pjiff.org/schedule/film-screenings/
25th April: Poetry in Pyjamas at Battersea Arts Centre. I’ll be back on UK soil in time to run a poetry workshop for new young poets at Battersea Arts Centre. They’ll also be performing their work on the night. Really excited for this one. More: https://bac.org.uk/whats-on/poetry-in-pyjamas/
28th April, 6.30pm: Just Write It! I’m back at Deptford Lounge this month for an hour of writing, an hour of sharing. Book via Albany’s website.
6th May Blue Whiskey Film Festival. Back of the Net is flying back across the pond, where it is nominated for best live action short at Blue Whiskey in Illinois. More: https://bwiff.com/event/2025may6/
11th May, 3pm: Off The Chest Poetry Workshop — Pay What You Can. Myself and Iftikhar Latif will be running a poetry workshop online. All welcome, but buying our anthology, Spaces of Significance, prior to the event is recommended. This workshop will explore how to depict meaningful spaces through poetry. More: https://www.offthechest.co.uk/events/poetry-workshop-on-spaces-of-significance
19th May: Off The Chest, Brighton Bards. We’re heading back to Komedia Brighton, this time in collaboration with Words by the Water, to bring you a night of incredible poets, including feature from Naomi Wood, plus an open mic. Book now: https://www.komedia.co.uk/shows/brighton-bards-with-off-the-chest/
Muchos gracias x
