Conformity and the City

To say that the city reacts differently to minority groups than it has in the past would probably be to commit to a conclusion that is based on little solid fact. Sure, we have legislation in place and programs that are around to ensure a sense of equality and acceptance of diversity, but to say that these programs have put an end to the old ways of ostracizing and to the entire structure of social conformity would be false. The idea of conformity and tyranny of the 'majority', both of which are inseparable as concepts, is so entrenched in our social and institutional structure that it is hard for those of us deemed different only when compared to the 'majority' to try and commit to a pure and unaltered individuality. We care too much about what others care. Thus, taking these concepts and linking them to the condition of minority groups, and more specifically, the LGBT community, one might easily find that it is the same now as it has always been, only now we pretend like we are individuals and will respect all individuals and diversities. That is not to say that there are some of us out there who do care about individualism and diversity. But we still conform to 'majority' ideologies whether we acknowledge it or not. And the city itself plays a large part in all these ideas. The city is control. The city is a major instrument in social conformity. On your own, outside of the limits, with miles of space between you and the next, it is possible to be an individual in so much as your parents allow its facilitation.Therefore, the natural inclination of minority groups, especially those who are the most pressured by society, is to form communities, whether Underground or Above Ground. And with communities, of course, comes place or places that one goes to feel comfortable or unique or like an individual more than a pawn whose moves are not his/her own. With that said, compared to the days of Frank Oliver and the myriad other Ministers of the Interior who  systematically and purposefully brought in and promoted policy of discrimination, we have come a long way. There is no doubt in my mind that policy, especially with the advent of human rights and the subsequent charters and so forth, has tried to eliminate Canada's and Edmonton's (see Frank Oliver Tunnel, Oliver Square) past of discrimination. It can only go so far.