Wheeler

Kula Wheeler

Mr. Ryan Smith

English 11 Section 1

23 March 2021

Disconnected: The Loss of Community in American Cities

Introduction

Everyone feels disconnected and separated even though we live closer than ever. How do

we fix this problem? We need each other as individuals and as a community. A study conducted

by the Harvard gazette states that having some sense of a community can extend your life by a

significant amount. With mental health on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important to find

a solution to this problem.

Many different organizations are working on the problem in Hawaii such as the Hawai’i

community foundation. The most common solution to fix a community is to create a connection

between its members. For example, making movie nights for the members to make memories.

Another example is to get the community together to help with community problems to lessen

the load for everyone while establishing a connection.

While repairing the divide in this country looks difficult, it would help us started the

movement at a state level. For this project, I’m planning to work with the Hawai’i community

foundation. I planned to connect my community and try to spread the spirit of aloha to other

communities while the movement grows. Extending our help to the communities in need and

being the leader for a better tomorrow.

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The Problem

The concept of a community is not bound only to the United States. These communities

heavily influence ones’ ethics, traditions, and character. These communities give a sense of

belonging in a certain area. It’s no secret that humans are social beings and that we need to reach

a quota of human interaction to stay healthy mentally and physically. This sense of belonging has

become crucial to our survival. This social ability has been the root of our survival for thousands

of years and is the sole reason why humans can thrive and excel in multiple environments.

Recently, there has been a shift in our culture where this concept of community has become less

important in the eyes of many. We’ve managed to drift further and further away from one

another as time passes. In a time of great connect a massive disconnect has occurred.

Technology although it brings us together has ironically brought us further apart than

ever before. It has alienated us from our respective communities and is becoming more of a

growing problem than ever before. Everywhere I look people are focused on their devices

instead of enjoying life and their communities. Technology has the potential to become the

foundation for a modern community but became the downfall of most modern-day communities

nationwide.

This leads me to the conclusion that technology has created a severe disconnect in our

communities. Specifically, the fact that the accessibility of information and resources has made

us rely on technology instead of our communities which leads to deeming said communities

worthless. A fitting example of this is the fact that online delivery services such as Amazon are

making us lazier (Skinner). Skinner concluded that people will take the route of least effort

almost whenever faced with a lack of resources. Convenience is a double-edged sword when
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referenced to our situation since we lose the ability to collect information and resources without

technology. Why ask for directions to a surf spot when you can search it up?

In our local communities, however, it has been the recent social events that have created

the largest divide such as the Mauna Kea protest and another land that was taken for military use

in Hawaii. It is evident that if we continue to divide, we will likely never be able to unify the

country nor state again.

This affects everyone because of the mental health issues that come with the divide and

lack of communication and lack of face-to-face time with other humans. The rate of mental

health issues is continuing to grow faster and faster as time goes on. We will not be able to

sustain the growing number of mental illnesses with the healthcare infrastructure in place.

Isolation affects us all.

But to Highlight one demographic Gen Z and Millennials are being hit hard (Lewis)

Before isolation became such a mainstream concept 4.4 million Young Americans were neither

working nor in school in the gaps between racial and ethnic groups remained at Large. Experts

say that whatever gains we had against this growing crisis have reset back to its original status.

No one benefits from isolation the study showed that the worst thing you can do to a prisoner is

put them in solitary instead of out in the open with the other prisoners. This speaks such volume

to our mental and how we are programmed. We're programmed to rely on each other nobody.

As I brought up earlier before in the discussion there have been studies showing that if

you have some sort of community whether be a relationship or friendship your lifespan

increases. This study was conducted by the Harvard Gazette. It must start at the local level since

the country won't follow on its own. Another issue is that this disconnect in the community has
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become so normalized that it goes unheard of in the news. Without this problem being brought

out to the public eye the search for a solution isn't hasty.

The Research

An article referring to the growing divide in the country provid es concerns about an

unsustainable rise in mental illnesses in the community. The speaker (Terlizzi) suggests the

humans are susceptible to mental illness when isolated from society. Terlizzi suggests that the

reason mental health issues are rising at such an alarming rate is that people are becoming more

isolated. Terlizzi makes an amazing point that “Mental illnesses can be prevented with proper

treatment which includes a good social life.”

There is specific evidence against the growing rate of mental illnesses in our

communities that indicates that mental illnesses will continue if not combated. We cannot

sustain the growing number of mental illnesses with the healthcare infostructure in place. This

highlights, that isolation is going to become more of a problem as time passes.

Mental illnesses are growing at a concerning rate and the community needs to step in.

Interestingly, in other countries that are tightly knit, mental illness rates are extremely low. This

points to the hypothesis that with a connected community, mental illness will decrease

exponentially.

Technology cannot replace the physical aspects of society that we need to function

correctly. Online schooling is a relevant example of this, (Kennedy) “The typical student

decreases his or her likelihood of course persistence by 7%.” This further proves that without the

physical aspect of a community per se a lack of motivation increases.

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This is detrimental to communities since it further solidifies the idea that convenience is

the most coveted trait today. Convince destroys communities. As stated, before convenience

itself is not a horrible concept but it leads to the destruction of the community due to rendering

the community useless as a source of information and resources. Without communities, it's also

been stated that mental health issues increase as a result.

The solution

The solutions to solving The Great Divide in our communities and Society are simple but

complex. To fix the community, we would have to educate the masses on the dangers of

convenience. To invoke a climate of change and care in the community and create importance in

caring for one another. One of the ways that my partner and I were planning to solve this

problem was to help the many communities of Hawaii and helping still the morals of selflessness

in said communities. We were going to invoke change first in our local neighborhoods and

create community events to slowly knit together the strands that are apart. We were going to

events such as neighborhood movie Nights, community cleanups, parties with food. Through

Community cleanups, we were going to spread the idea of community to other communities in

need.

After the pandemic is over or at least sizzled out we can then strengthen the community

on a greater scale through festivities like concerts and firework displays. This will lead to

stronger ties with one another since we can realize that people make events more fun. This would

create more lines of communication with people from the community. We could also have more

meetings that were significant to the community health such as public hearings again. We could

all discuss our problems in our communities and request help from other communities which

would strengthen social ties further.

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In conclusion, Humans need one another. No person can live in complete isolation

without succumbing to the negative effects it brings. We are in a unique spot where we can

innovate the concept of a community and make it stronger than ever with the help of technology.

The long-term benefits will help each other survive as a species and help make the quality of life

better overall. We need to look out for one another and help each other live a life that is worth

living. We can better the standards of humanity through communication and compassion. It all

starts with the community.

Works Cited

Epler, Patti. “Fault Lines: Bridging The Growing Disconnect In Hawaii.” Honolulu Civil Beat,
27 Jan. 2020, www.civilbeat.org/2020/01/fault-lines-bridging-the-growing-disconnect-in-
hawaii/.

Grant, Jimmy. “Youth Disconnection in America.” Measure of America: A Program of the

Social Science Research Council, 2020, measureofamerica.org/DYinteractive/#State.

Haidt, Jonathan. “Can a Divided America Heal?” TED,

www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_can_a_divided_america_heal.

“Health and Wellness Issues: Understanding Science, Society, and Yourself by ABC-CLIO:
EBSCO.” EBSCO Information Services, Inc. | Www.ebsco.com,
www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/health-and-wellness-issues-understanding-
science-society-and-yourself.

Mineo, Liz. “Over Nearly 80 Years, Harvard Study Has Been Showing How to Live a Healthy
and Happy Life.” Harvard Gazette, Harvard Gazette, 26 Nov. 2018,
news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-
showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/.

Skinner, Caleb. “Customer Insight: Is Amazon Making You a Lazy Shopper?” The Verde Group,
14 Jan. 2020, verdegroup.com/customer-insight-lazy-amazon-shopper/.
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Research Essay Rubric

Criteria / Standard 1 2 3 4 Score Feedback

IDEA DEVELOPMENT x
Far too little research for a research
essay.
❑ Text is focused; captures the reader’s attention.
❑ Topic is narrow and manageable.
❑ Details are relevant, interesting, vivid, accurate.
❑ Point is clear.
❑ Details support the paper’s main idea.
❑ Ideas engage, inspire, or intrigue reader.

ORGANIZATION x

❑ The order compels, enhances, and moves ideas. Many paragrahs are underdeveloped.
❑ Introduction intrigues, invites; conclusion resolves. Say more.
❑ Thoughtful transitions show how ideas connect.
❑ Sequencing is logical and effective.
❑ Pacing is well controlled and purposeful.
❑ Organization flows smoothly; matches purpose.

VOICE x

❑ Writing is compelling, engaging; aware of the

audience.
❑ Tone is interesting and appropriate for audience
and the purpose.
❑ Author’s presence is evident, powerful.
❑ Expository writing is committed, persuasive.
❑ Narrative writing is honest, engaging, personal.

WORD CHOICE x

❑ Words are precise, interesting, powerful.

❑ Words are specific; meaning is clear.
❑ Words and phrases are striking.
❑ Language is effective and appropriate.
❑ Verbs are lively, nouns precise, modifiers
effective.
❑ Choices enhance meaning and clarify meaning.

SENTENCE FLUENCY x x

❑ The writing flows with rhythm and elegance.

❑ Sentences are constructed to enhance meaning.
❑ Sentences vary in length and structure.
❑ Sentences use purposeful, varied beginnings.
❑ Writing has cadence.

CONVENTIONS x

❑ Observes and uses standard conventions; few

errors.
❑ Spelling is mostly correct.
❑ Punctuation is accurate and effective.
❑ Capitalization skills are evident.
❑ Grammar and usage are correct and enhance the
text.
❑ Paragraphing is sound; reinforces organization.
❑ Writer may manipulate conventions for style.
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Total Score
1 = standard not met; 2 = standard partially met; 3 = standard met; 4 = exceeds expectations