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Community in India, Nigeria and Spain
How neighbors look out for each other elsewhere
I grew up surrounded by immigrants and, to this day, many of my close friends are either immigrants or their parents were. So while I grew up in America, in many ways I have immigrant values.
One thing that I’ve noticed in many immigrant neighborhoods — the sense of community.
I saw this both as a kid in New York City, where the mothers sat outside and chatted while keeping an eye on their playing children. Any mother felt free to correct any child. Also to help any child.
I knew if I was thirsty and Mom wasn’t around, an “auntie” would give me water. Sometimes they gave me cookies, too.
When I visited India as a child, I saw this too.
If someone was sick, their friends and neighbors would visit. Did the person or the family need anything? People would bring food or medicine.
A friend of mine who is from Nigeria told me about when his mother got sick, when he was a child there.
“Neighbors came with food every day,” he said. “Until she was better.”
As in India, children often had several “aunties” — their mother’s friends as well as close neighbors would fill these roles.
