The Community

Abstract

Imagine that one day, without warning, you are whisked away from your family and your daily routine by uniformed officials in a specialized official vehicle with sirens wailing. You arrive at a large institution, where you are guarded, for hours of waiting. You are stripped and examined down to your most private parts. Your possessions are taken away; you are issued institutional clothes. People of power and authority observe you closely and ask questions. They speak an unintelligible terminology. It is clear that your answers will help determine if and how long you are imprisoned, but it is not clear what answers will have what effect. Finally, you are shut in a room with strangers and are observed periodically by staff. You are fed an institutional diet. Eventually some of your family is permitted to visit. If your conduct is considered adequate, you may be permitted closely monitored outside communication. Periodic visits and meetings, usually unannounced, determine your fate. A string of authorities expect you to keep their slightly different roles straight.