Ally's Utopian Island: Community

Questions: Discuss all facets of GROUPING such as family, religion, race, culture, language, and wealth. Sometimes, we choose to become members of a certain group; sometimes the group divisions seem to be made for us. Try to think of all the ways people (in our world) become divided into groups and address those issues. Think back on the "family plan" from The Giver- how will your plan compare? Think about how we see differences in real life based on just the one factor of wealth- homes, cars, other material possessions or privileges such as educational opportunities or traveling? Combine those differences with all the other factors that create grouping. This post should read more as a philosophy than a step-by-step action plan like the genetic engineering in The Giver. Your utopian philosophy should address what makes your island a COMMUNITY- "a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially while living together in your island space." Based on this definition, living in a common location alone does NOT create a community. As the utopian island community planner, you must address this issue by adding a philosophy for sharing a common interest and forming relationships.

This post will have 3 different parts. Please label each as you post.

A. Create and post the philosophy for your utopian COMMUNITY.
B. Research a career as a community planner. Post a 5-8 part job description and share link(s) where your information was found. (President Obama was a community planner in Chicago.)
C. Write a reflection based on the following poem written by John Donne.

No Man Is An Island

No man is an island,

Entire of itself.

Each is a piece of the continent.

A part of the main.

If a clod be washed away by the sea,

Europe is the less.

As well as if a promontory were

As well as if a manor of thine own

Or of thine friend's were.

Each man's death diminishes me,

For I am involved in mankind.

Therefore, send not to know

For whom the bell tolls,

It tolls for thee.

Grouping-A
Family: Most families here are made up of two partners {male-female, male-male, female-female;doesn't matter} and their children. They may have as many children as they wish-- as long as they take care of them. People chose and make their own families, higher powers do not step in.
Religion: There is not just one main religion here. Most of the citizens belong to Christianity or Buddhism, however. All religions are accepted--judgement will not be made on your religion, or if you have none. There are several churches for each and every religion.
Race: There are a number of different races here. There is no such thing as racism here. Everyone gets along just fine. If two people of different races have a family, there will be no judgement on the partners, nor children.
Culture: The culture varies through out the land. It's different with different people. Most everyone, for example, is a vegetarian. Clothing of all different colours and textures are worn through out the island, and there is no certain style or uniform.
Language: There are two main languages here. English and Italian are commonly spoken. However, there are people that speak a variety of languages {French is another common language here, but not as popular as Italian or English.}
Wealth:
Wealth: Certain jobs give more money than others, however, money is not all that matters. There is no upper and lower class. Money wise, even if someone owns more than others, most everyone is equal.
There isn't really any grouping done by the higher power. If there are any groups, they are small ones created by citizens, and are not made for making one group of people feel higher than the other.
{I hope this answers question A. I didn't understand part A or B, so I just went off on many tangents. }

Community Planner-B
Community planners shape their cities, towns, villages, etc.

{Below, in italic, are things copied from: http://www.communityplanning.net/principles/principles.php}

Accept different agendas:

People will want to be involved for a variety of reasons, for instance: academic enquiry, altruism, curiosity, fear of change, financial gain, neighbourliness, professional duty, protection of interests, socialising. This need not be a problem but it helps to be aware of people’s different agendas.
Accept limitations:
No community planning activity can solve all the world’s problems. But that is not a reason for holding back. Limited practical improvements will almost always result, and community planning activity can often act as a catalyst for more fundamental change.

Have fun:Getting involved in creating and managing the environment should not be a chore. It can be a great opportunity to meet people and have fun. The most interesting and sustainable environments have been produced where people have enjoyed creating them. Community planning requires humour. Use cartoons, jokes and games whenever possible.

The planners train younger citizens for when they retire, so if anything has to be changed in Utopia, they can take over and do so.

Community planners basically form and shape the Utopia. They are one of the higher powers.

Reflection-C