Last nightâs gathering was supposed to showcase community.
Instead, it revealed something else entirely.
đ„ Who Showed Up
A handful of people.
Mostly familiar faces.
Friends, supporters of the board and members of the social committee.
That was the room.
There was no cross-section of the building. No diversity of age, experience, or perspective. No energy. No curiosity.
đ± Who Didnât
Young residents were almost entirely absent.
The only exception: two parents of small children who wanted some cookies.
No students.
No early-career professionals.
No next generation.
A building full of people- and almost none of them there.
đ An Echo Chamber, Not a Community
This wasnât engagement.
It was affirmation.
When only your friends attend, youâre not listening – youâre being reassured. When the same small circle keeps reappearing, thatâs not support from the community; itâs insulation from it.
đ§ What This Says
Events like this donât fail accidentally. They fail when trust has already been lost.
People disengage when they feel unheard.
They stay away when participation feels performative.
They stop showing up when outcomes are already decided.
đ§ Blenvale, This Tells You a Lot
About who feels welcome.
About who feels represented.
About who no longer believes their presence matters.
A nearly empty room can be very loud – if youâre willing to hear it.
