Gated "Community"?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Let your voice be heard. Wear a peace button and avoid clothing that advertises commercial interests.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

I see no limit to your goodness.
I see no limit to your love.
I see no limit to your acceptance.
I see no limit to your forgiveness.
I see no limit to your compassion.
I see no limit to our oneness.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Why do I always have to clean up the mess?”

[I can imagine it, the poor kid, but He probably didn’t say it.]

D. Blog: Gated “Communities”

When she said she wanted to move from her beautiful five-year-old home in a well-to-do part of town, I wondered why. As she described her reasoning, twice this retired divorcee said the new house would be in a “gated community.”

I can understand the gated part for those who think it gives them security, but I don’t get the claim of "community." The point of the gate is to keep out a whole lot of people, not to form a community. Those who live in such developments do not want to be bothered by “those people,” whether that means people of other ethnicity, another race, or most importantly, people of lesser incomes and/or education. They probably want to live in an secure neighborhood, but not in a community.

They also want gates to assure privacy, so how interested are they in being a community with their neighbors who are also primarily interested in living in an exclusive, gated neighborhood? Can it even be a “neighborhood” if they want privacy, but not interaction with those who live near them?

I am reminded of Carl Sandburg’s reply to a question in an interview with Edward R. Murrow. Murrow asked Sandburg which word in the English language he liked least. Without hesitation, Sandburg replied: “Exclusive.” It confirms his image as the poet of the people.

My impression of these gated enclaves is that they are no less than ghettos for the wealthy. I also imagine that the priest and the Levite in the Samaritan story would feel right at home in them.