Anarchy Bang: Introducing Episode 30 - Solidarity

From Anarchy Bang

If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.
— Aboriginal activists group, Queensland, 1970s

I want to start by stating that I believe solidarity is one of the three foundations of anarchy (or specifically my idea of anarchy): solidarity, mutual aid and free association (disassociation). These three concepts are interconnected. For solidarity to work, for a commitment to build social relations and actions between individuals and communities, there needs to be both mutual aid and free association. Connections of solidarity need all those engaging in the work/struggle to benefit, to share, to build together. It can't be a one sided relationship where one party is there to save or free the other party. It is not "Charity." Both parties benefit and thrive from the relationships, connections and actions. At anytime the relationship or connection may end. It is not guaranteed or set in stone. For solidarity to thrive it must evolve, grow and move with changing situations. Solidarity is free and voluntary. Solidarity should build and nurture active power not reinforce and continue alienated powered.

In practice, anarchist mostly inhabit the realm of solidarity because we are a minority in resistance (at least presently.) As a minority, we work with those that do not call themselves anarchists but see a common struggle, world, or practice. This week we will be discussing what solidarity looks like. We asked people to call in and discuss how they understand and practice solidarity. What are the limitations or possibilities of solidarity? What kinds or acts of solidarity would they or do participate in? Some anarchists build social relations and action with organizations like Democratic Socialists of America, Maoists and other state socialists/communists seeing a common goal, enemy or desire. Are these acts of solidarity or attempts to play a mathematical game to build a illusion of a "mass movement." Does solidarity pull together different historical and lived experiences for overlapping struggles and desires or does it essentialize difference as incommensurable histories, lives and experiences. Is solidarity and allyship parallel (virtually the same) project or are they different modes of living, practicing and struggling produce opposite social relations?

Each of us will being to the show our concrete and lived experiences with solidarity, our discussion will hopefully bring you into the conversation with you calling in sharing your position, arguing against one of ours or possibly expanding how we all see solidarity.

Join in the conversation!

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There are 16 Comments

that quote is actually from a woman named Lilla Watson, Aboriginal elder, activist and educator from Queensland, Australia.

The quote has been credited to her, she prefers credits the Aboriginal activist group because she said the ideas/theories came though collective action at the time ...

Many indigenous groups at the time had been approached by Marxist Black Panther provocateurs and had adopted their sĺogans, for want of any other source of popular resistance at the time. Their ethos has completely changed inthis present era.

I really don't think that tribalism and liberation are mutually compatible. Any organization termed "solidarity" can only be hierarchical.
"Elder" in itself is a patriarchical/matriarchal deniàl of youth's liberation from the stultifying effects of moral tradition!

Hasn't solidarity always been the organization of elderly power politics?

solidarity means attack.
solidarity means perreo.

solidarity means charity + thoughts and prayers.
solidarity means giving money to gofundme campaigns and patreons and kofi.
solidarity means being a good samaritan.

solidarity means public statements of support.
solidarity means chanting in unison.
solidarity means cheering on command.

solidarity means listening to people when they speak during their turns in assemblies.
solidarity means being considerate with others.
solidarity means being an ally, wait no, an accomplice.
solidarity means respecting social conventions, but other times it means defying social conventions, or it means continuously simultaneously doing both.

that is the most absurd explanation (?) of "solidarity" i have ever seen. chanting in unison? cheering on command? wtf?

it’s a list of all the things i’ve heard solidarity described as, hinting at contradictions and ambiguity by counterposing the incongruous things half in jest

solidarity is a margarine word for: because we can't do this alone and we're not getting paid.

i like the poetic quality blunt and straightforward language can sometime have. this way of defining it is close to good enough.

but: since we’re not getting paid to do these things, are people persuaded to help with puppy dog eyes or guilt tripping, or an inner compulsion or empathy, or a sense of duty? is solidarity tending to the nagging needs of others, or is affinity a vital part of the mix? yes, right?
now u rephrase it short and catchy : )

Hey anon, thought you might springboard off this in to your seemingly favourite analytical place: everyonesucksland!

Like you, I have plenty of bad experiences that lead me to be deeply skeptical of new people and their projects. I can only speak to their motivations after observing them for a long time or worse, actually getting to know them! *shudder*

But if we're assuming a strong anti-authoritarian critique, including the more sneaky forms of manipulation, then that would also include being savvy enough to not get led around by the nose by anyone because we're smart, badass anarchists and stuff!

So then it's just a highly personal process of deciding why you do anything, beyond the obvious, boring self-interested-every-jackass. So yeah, I like terms like affinity and mutual aid. I like compassion in moderation. I very much like the desire for revenge against the boot on the neck. Not sure if I can do a catchphrase for something so personal?

It would just look like DO IT CUZ YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO LOSERS, something something anarchists bootstraps …?

hahahaha, that's one of the reasons i like you, i input shit and u turn it into gold! no bs, good on you! you're clear on these matters!

thanks! my humble contributions round here, do what I can, you know?

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