Dialectic of Unity and Fragmentation in Feeding the Homeless: Promoting Social Justice Through Communication

Abstract

This article examines the dialectic between unity and fragmentation in community suppers that attempt to promote social justice through communication. In these suppers there were powerful examples of unity as people participated in casual conversations, shared their personal stories, and engaged in coordinated actions to prepare the meal, eat together, and clean up afterward. Through connecting with one another and talking about personal problems, formerly isolated people are offered hope. There are also instances of fragmentation, however. For example, people experience both forces of the dialectic in dynamic tension by feeling connected at the supper but feeling disconnected on realizing they will return home to an isolated environment. The central argument advanced in this article is that unity (thesis) and fragmentation (antithesis) yield community (synthesis). Transcending the dialectic of unity and fragmentation is a great challenge and may not be possible. However, social justice may be promoted through communication when we build communities that both unify and fragment.