Common ground
From Internet: Knowledge and Community
Kemmis believes that finding common ground between people in a community would greatly improve the quality welfare of that community. Because of the nature of people, Kemmis says they are unable to both see there is a common ground and realize its potential. One of the main barriers to realizing the common ground is the "language of individualism." This concept was also briefly brought up in The Problem of Place in America. The idea is that Americans have romantasized being isolated. Because of this it is more difficult to allow themselves to relate to others, and easy to avoid recognizing common problems. There is a second language Kemmis mentions, the language of "tradition and commitment." Kemmis goes on to supply an example of this language from his childhood. His mother was not fond of the neighbor, however they had to build a barn and put aside their differences to do what had to be done. Building the barn was a difficult task, and by being committed to it together they were able to "broaden the boundaries of their own likes and dislikes."
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