What is Mutual Aid?
This series of graphics was made by Caremongering Brantford-Brant. Mutual aid is a form of political organizing where people take responsibility for caring for each other. Not just through symbolic or one-time acts but through building new social set-ups that are more survivable. Providing for each other is radical and regenerative!
Messages from Mutual Aid
Governments, organizations, social services etc. often have a limited imagination about the scope of support and change that is needed. For this reason, we cannot rely on them alone.
You are not alone
The system is the problem, not the people who are being targeted by it or facing barriers because of it
We are going to take matters into our own hands and help each other survive
Mutual Aid Helps Us To
Build cooperative projects
Learn how current systems work / don’t work
Practice making decisions together
Meet new people in our community
Learn about each other’s skills and needs
Be better prepared to support each other
*Lists inspired by Dean Spade’s “Animated video about mutual aid”
Mutual Aid is not Charity
Charity is the idea that those have more money and resources can donate small amounts of resources to those who don't have access. However, it often does not meet the level of need. And doesn't ask why folks don't have access to resources in the first place.
Charity often decides who is deserving of support and who isn't. Decision making factors include; being sober, not being involved with the police or prison system, being viewed as productive and responsible, having a job etc. Decision making factors often depend on racist, sexist, ableist, and anti-Indigenous stereotypes. Worsening access to resources for Black, Indigenous and undocumented communities. Especially for women, girls, femme and Trans folks.
Charity makes the individual responsible for their own barriers (and removing them). Mutual Aid understand the systems’ role in creating unfair distribution of resources and wealth. And makes the community as a whole responsible for caring for each other. We all deserve what we need to survive!
Examples of Mutual Aid
Child Care Collectives
Legal and Court Support
Sharing access to food
Pet care
Doula programs
Community kitchens
Community libraries
Community-led crisis response
*And includes many collectives working for systemic changes such as the Black Panthers Party, Food Not Bombs, Sylvia Rivera Project, Mutual Aid collectives that have started up due to impacts of COVID19 and many more! There are an endless amount of examples because there are so many ways that the current system isn't working for folks!
Are you ready to do the work?
Mutual Aid work isn’t easy. It is not a one-time event or a one off donation. It takes lasting commitments and a dedication to shifting how we view each other and our communities. It also requires dispersing the labour that most frequently rests on femme and racialized folks.
#solidaritynotchairty #mutualaid #communitycare #caremongering #caremongeringbrantfordbrant
Sources & Resources
Dean Spade’s “Animated Video About Mutual Aid”
Disability Justice Network of Ontario
