Niki L. Young . The testimonies have in common many community-centered narrative strategies employed by individuals, including a claim to uniqueness, the loss of hope, the quiet plea, the failure of the larger community, a catalog of difficulties and a challenge to others to speak about the homeless problem. Community can refer to a specific location in the material world, a locus of common activity, or a sense of connectedness and belonging. Community membership is desirable precisely because that membership generates a sense of belonging. Because belonging to a community is a valued privilege, community membership is contested.
Conflict is inherent to community.
This conflict is expressed in language. Language communicates membership and status. The words individuals use to describe others often reveal the status of others. The names people use to refer to others affix certain social status upon them. Labeling a person or action deviant, for example, communicates separation, marginalizing that person or action.