Did you know that Little Free Libraries are a great example of "mutual aid?"
Mutual aid refers to the cycle of providing goods and/or services to your community knowing one day you, too, will utilize those same resources. Mutual aid is an act of solidarity that builds networks between neighbors to meet the needs of everyone in the community, especially when needs are high.
Mutual aid is different from charity, which features a one-way relationship between an organization and its recipients, due to the equal exchange between givers and receivers.
Common examples include the Little Free Library you likely found this QR code on, community fridges and gardens, community closets, and so much more.
You give what you can, take what you need. From each in their ability to each in their need.
And guess what? Mutual aid is just one of six principles under “anarchism,” a political ideology that places power in the hands of community members rather than The State and centers trauma-informed healing.
The other 5 principles include:
You probably live by anarchist principles everyday!
Every time you treat another human with consideration and respect, you are being an anarchist. Every time you work out your differences with others by coming to reasonable compromise, listening to what everyone has to say rather than letting one person decide for everyone else, you are being an anarchist. Every time you have the opportunity to force someone to do something, but decide to appeal to their sense of reason or justice instead, you are being an anarchist. The same goes for every time you share something with a friend, or decide who is going to do the dishes, or do anything at all with an eye to fairness.
This doesn’t mean change can just happen overnight, though! Now is the time to build “dual power” in order maintain a safe and smooth transition, creating the very structures that the Black Panther Party and many other organizations sought after, a second mode of governance (the community) while the current one (The State) still exists.
So how can you get involved in better supporting your friends, family members, and colleagues? Volunteer at your local Food Not Bombs. Find a local Trash Nothing group. Start sharing products amongst your peers, pooling together money to make purchases at lower prices than are generally available, or to purchase goods that might be difficult to obtain independently.
And lastly? Share this page with everyone you know and contact us @bfpnola or [email protected] with any questions you have on getting involved further!
Mutual aid is different from charity, which features a one-way relationship between an organization and its recipients, due to the equal exchange between givers and receivers.
Common examples include the Little Free Library you likely found this QR code on, community fridges and gardens, community closets, and so much more.
You give what you can, take what you need. From each in their ability to each in their need.
And guess what? Mutual aid is just one of six principles under “anarchism,” a political ideology that places power in the hands of community members rather than The State and centers trauma-informed healing.
The other 5 principles include:
- Autonomy and horizontality: define yourself on your own terms, no one dominates anyone else, a leveled playing field
- Voluntary association: associate or don't associate with whomever you wish
- Direct action: accomplish goals directly rather than depending on representatives or authorities
- Revolution: overthrow the elites who enforce coercive hierarchies (ex. white supremacy and the patriarchy)
- Self-liberation: you must be at the forefront of your own liberation, freedom must be taken
You probably live by anarchist principles everyday!
Every time you treat another human with consideration and respect, you are being an anarchist. Every time you work out your differences with others by coming to reasonable compromise, listening to what everyone has to say rather than letting one person decide for everyone else, you are being an anarchist. Every time you have the opportunity to force someone to do something, but decide to appeal to their sense of reason or justice instead, you are being an anarchist. The same goes for every time you share something with a friend, or decide who is going to do the dishes, or do anything at all with an eye to fairness.
This doesn’t mean change can just happen overnight, though! Now is the time to build “dual power” in order maintain a safe and smooth transition, creating the very structures that the Black Panther Party and many other organizations sought after, a second mode of governance (the community) while the current one (The State) still exists.
So how can you get involved in better supporting your friends, family members, and colleagues? Volunteer at your local Food Not Bombs. Find a local Trash Nothing group. Start sharing products amongst your peers, pooling together money to make purchases at lower prices than are generally available, or to purchase goods that might be difficult to obtain independently.
And lastly? Share this page with everyone you know and contact us @bfpnola or [email protected] with any questions you have on getting involved further!
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