About Us
Solidarity (not Charity)
Early on this year, when we formed West Side Cleveland Food Not Bombs, we educated ourselves on the very clear differences between solidarity and charity. We came to understand that charity can be patronizing and classist, and can often function as a way of relieving oneself of capitalist guilt (or buying public opinion). Of course, our western culture has a lot of warm fuzzy feelings about charity, but it helps to understand how charity is different than solidarity.
Solidarity is seen as working together, towards a common goal, and not entering a social relationship where one party is wielding privilege like its some kind of sword to swing from atop a knightly horse. Solidarity is about recognizing that we are part of a common struggle, and that working for social justice is not just about being a good neighbor, that it is about collective action. Charity often, and sometimes inadvertently preserves class, racial, and gendered divisions. Solidarity is a recognition that we are all in this together.
Wikipedia article on Solidarity
Other Worlds: Solidarity Economies
Mutual Aid
