what is mutual aid?

Mutual Aid is a practice and politic that emphasizes solidarity rather than charity. What does that mean? It means we recognize that our well-being, health and dignity are all bound up in each other. It means that we understand our survival depends on cooperation, not competition. At the height of Covid 19, we saw that our health is also dependent on other people’s health, and we can literally save each other’s lives. Rather than disengage and feel powerless, mutual aid allows us to plug in where we can make the most impact — locally.

  • … getting people together in your community to provide material support to each other

    … building relationships with your neighbors based on trust and common interest

    … making decisions by consensus rather than relying on authority or hierarchy

    … sharing things rather than hoarding things

    … treating no one as disposable

    … providing all kinds of support, ranging from food prep to childcare to translation to emotional support, and recognizing the value of all of them

    … a political education opportunity, where we build the relationships and analysis to understand why we are in the conditions that we’re in

    … preparation for the next disaster (natural or economic). Next time around we’ll already have relationships with each other and know who is vulnerable and needs support

    … a great jumping off point for other kinds of organizing and movement work

  • … quid pro quo transactions

    … only for disasters or crises

    … charity or a way to “save” people

    … a reason for a social safety net not to exist

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