If you’ve been reading our newsletters over the last couple weeks, you’ve probably seen the term “mutual aid” pop up a few times. But what is it? In simple terms, it’s neighbors helping neighbors; self-organized cooperation that addresses the immediate and future needs of our communities. It may sound simple, and in some ways it is. Though, as I look deeper into it, I discover that it’s an organizational strategy as old as humanity, and it may also hold the keys to our future.
Mutual aid is also one of the main pillars of our Mutual Aid, Network Building, and Activism (MANA) Fund. This fund will support Rabbits in self-organized excursions to build regional solidarity, provide tangible support for values-aligned projects and vulnerable communities, and advocate for positive social change. Growing this fund is also the focus of our Giving Tuesday campaign. We’re aiming to raise $5,000, all of which goes directly into our MANA fund. And there’s just one day left!
and help us build regional solidarity!
More about mutual aid
The term was first popularized by 19th century Russian naturalist and philosopher Peter Kroptkin. In his collection of essays, “Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution,” he argues that cooperation between animal and plant communities is a key factor in what enables certain groups to thrive, pass on genes, and evolve. He believed that humans have a predisposition to help one another, and readily do so in the absence of governmental systems. In fact, governments may often repress our inherent tendency toward cooperation.
In the present day, mutual aid projects are a form of generative political participation; people taking responsibility for caring for one another by cooperatively building systems of social relations that can adapt to, and thrive in, changing conditions. This could be an emergency response to something like a natural disaster or political/economic upheaval, or the daily disasters perpetuated by capitalism, oppression, or a changing climate.
A key factor of mutual aid is that it is non-hierarchical; needs and solutions are identified by the people on the ground, without directives from above. It is a powerful tool for building resilient communities, but it’s not easy. It involves forming lasting commitments to show up and do the hard work, learning how to collaborate even when there is conflict, and facing the sometimes heart-wrenching realities of the systems we live under. It is also deeply satisfying and rewarding, as it transforms us from being passive observers of a flawed society to inspired builders of the new world we crave and need.
In many ways, this is what folks at Dancing Rabbit have been doing since its founding; coming together to build a community from the ground up, looking at the harsh realities of capitalism, ecological collapse, and community breakdown in the face and saying, “we can do better.” Now, with the Mutual Aid, Network Building, and Activism (MANA) fund, we’re expanding our bubble of mutual aid and growing connections with inspiring projects in our region so we can build a better world together. If you feel called to support us in these efforts, please consider making a donation.
With gratitude,
Eric Mease
Villager // Land Steward // Development Lead