Not from around these parts

A number of "fish out of water" tales are told about the outsider who finds himself stranded in some out-of-the-way place. Subjected to wary stares, the stranger is finally approached by a representative, who states the obvious: "You're not from around here, are you?"

More often than not, these stories derive some of their humor from portraying the 'locals' as ignorant or closed-minded, whereas our intrepid traveler is usually intended to represent progress and enlightenment. And perhaps it's a good thing we've been conditioned to become more open to the stranger in our midst.

Then again, perhaps not. Our generous nature has been abused, to the point we now have living among us tens of thousands from other cultures who, despite growing up in our schools and surrounded by our media, still aren't -- and likely never will be -- "from around here" in their hearts. But far from representing some progressive intrusion into our communities, they are instead an unsuccessful attempt to graft incompatible societies together. That experiment having failed, these imports become lost and adrift, ready fodder for any number of agents who would do our communities harm.

Stereotypes aside, there's something to be said for strong communities that can self-regulate as well as recognize the outsider who poses a risk of upsetting local balances. Such communities require those to wish to reap the benefits of joining to adapt and be loyal to the conditions that make those benefits possible. The U.S. as a nation, though, seems to have lost any sort of common framework upon which to build true community. As threats multiply from within and without, it's not hard to imagine a future in which one's world revolves around the people you know well, and can vouch for--and can stand beside when challenging the new arrival with the question: "you're not from around here, are you?"