Fear And Loathing In California

Fear and Loathing in California

Throughout America's short history, California has been a mysterious land of snowy mountains, sandy beaches and fertile soil. From the Gold Rush to the Free Love movement, it has been a Mecca for the misunderstood, the thrill seekers, and the independent. For over a hundred years people have found what they were looking for in the sprawling lands of California. Throughout the years, the ideals of the misfits who populated California have shaped the mentality of today's citizens. People migrated to California to escape the rigid structure of the Midwestern communities. For many people immigrating to California, the definition of the California Dream was the escape from community. To many, it may seem that California is a cold place with no sense of connection between its citizens, but in fact there is a great deal of community in California. In her essay "A New Perspective on the Dream", Denise Spooner writes of the sense of adventure and allure that California has held since the time of the Spanish settlers. Spooner goes on to explain that many held the belief that Southern California held many opportunities, not only for excitement and fun, but also in business (45). The sprawling land of California has called many people to settle in its hills and valleys throughout the years, and the reasons for settling are as diverse as those who are called.

California is a diverse state made up by diverse people. Within its borders one can find sprawling cities with gridlocked highways, and within a 50-mile radius one can also find small tightly knit communities. Sacramento and its surrounding areas provide examples of a larger scale of community every winter when the storms bring flooding across the Delta. The city and surrounding areas come together to supply the population with sandbags and other means of flood protection. The small town communities provide a sort of balance to the lack of small-scale community in the large cities. Where people avoid eye contact in L.A. people reach out to their neighbors in Arcata. Contrary to stereotypes, there are small cities and towns in California. Within these small towns people come together to form bonds that run deep. Neighbors help each other out in times of crisis or hardship, and are there for each other in times of joy and celebration.

In smaller cities and towns the communities form strong bonds within their boundaries. In more suburban areas like Citrus Heights and Rocklin, small cities within the sprawl of Sacramento, neighborhoods form together to watch out for each other. In almost every neighborhood across California there are Neighborhood Watch groups organized to provide assistance within the community. Neighborhood Watch groups come together to patrol areas, watch over each other's houses and vehicles. Neighborhoods come together to discuss local issues that affect their families. Citrus Heights has many strong Neighborhood Watches throughout the city. Growing up, I can remember my parents and neighbors meeting to discuss vandalism, theft and other issues. They also planned Neighborhood functions, street-wide barbeques and holiday festivities and all were invited to participate. The results of these organizations are positive, they effect change in suburban areas and provide a feeling of community to those involved. Even those who do not participate actively sleep better at night knowing that their neighbors are watching out for them and their families.

Where the small cities come together to form deep bonds, the large cities of California are almost the exact opposite in terms of community feel. On the streets of Sacramento or Los Angeles, citizens are anonymous, almost faceless entities in the throng of people. People go about their lives with little thought to their surrounding neighbors. Unfortunately, the lack of community comes at a price. Crime rates in big cities soar. Many people living in big cities often have a feeling of disconnect with their fellow citizens. Depression and apathy take their toll on the disconnected citizens of big cities. If someone does not know their neighbor, or anything about them, people are less likely to put themselves on the line to help a neighbor out. When these feelings spread across an entire population of people it also effects the crime rates. But even though big cities lack a feeling of intimate community, there is still a sense of community for their populations. Big cities have big scale community.

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