beginners guide to mutual aid
what exactly is mutual aid?
mutual aid n. a voluntary, collaborative exchange of resources and services for common benefit taking place amongst community members to overcome social, economic, and political barriers to meeting common needs.
on a larger scale, this can take the form of a local food not bombs chapter handing out free meals in the park, a free store where hygeine, medical, and leisure goods are distributed at no cost, or a donation drive / clothing swap.
here are some personal examples that might help reframe what mutual aid can look like in your daily life.
✦ at work i offer tech support and education to my friend that got himself locked out of facebook and accidentally purchased 2FA scamware. he remembers i was looking for a bike and he gifts me one from his collection.
✦ i lent some books from my personal library to a coworker who mentioned wanting something new to read. he remembers me talking about cool yarn i found and offers to teach me crochet.
✦ my coworker gives me skincare and a set of old glasses she won in a raffle. later, she asks for a ride to the airport and i oblige.
✦ i become close with a coworker. we often pay for eachothers meals, provide transportation without keeping track of debts. she has pet-sat for me and i would do the same for her in a heartbeat.
does this sound like anything you've experienced? if so, congratulations. you've got the beginnings of a mutual aid support network!
how can i foster relationships like this?
we live in a society that thrives on the idea of scarcity. we are a nation of hoarders. so, what if after brunch, you didnt venmo request your bestie for her share of the mimosas?
what if we lived as if the world was abundant?
dont worry about gas money, i got you. make yourself at home. have some of my dinner, i made extra. you liked that book? keep it.
when you gift freely, others will gift in return. simple as. establish this as a premise for how you live and you will be surprised at how others volunteer their help in exchange.
and remember: you don't need to be on the front lines to make a difference in the lives of people you love.
inspired by Roderick Douglass' book, Starting Somewhere: Community Organizing for Socially Awkward People who've Had Enough.
thank u for putting my relationships into perspective and inspiring me to share my own thoughts and ideas on the subject of mutual aiddddd (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧