FUNERALS IN THE BURBS'

So the trend in neighbourhoods these days is that we build tall walls and get our attitudes to match them. This is especially true the more affluent the suburb is. We have done well emulating the individualistic culture of whites in this regard. The discrepancies creep in when we have the unfortunate event of a funeral. Then our gates open and as humanity (setho) will dictate, the neighbours must come and give support in this time of distress. However given that all along neighbourliness had not been cultivated not even by the simple greeting then this task becomes very difficult. First you have to learn through the hymns and sermons that something must be amiss in the next yard. Then you are faced with the dilemma of going and feeling very out of place because the crisis befallen family had never been civil. In more interactive communities, when one member of the community dies the community is told by word of mouth of course because they actually take the time out of their busy schedules to interact with each other. This makes for easy cooperation when death befalls one of the families of the community.

I guess this then is a cry out from me to people in the 'burbs' that lets get to know each other. I am not suggesting we be best friends, I think we all have enough of those but a greeting when you see someone in your neighbourhood will not decrease the value of your house or car. Nor will it make you any less well dressed. Let's not lose civility because death does not only affect the less affluent and even the more affluent need the support of the community in the face of such a misfortune.

As I get my skirt ready to attend a memorial service I deduced in my hood later on today.