In March of 2020, Google recorded a spike in the search term “mutual aid,” as people around the world went into lockdown during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then Google recorded two more spikes in people searching for the same term, one in June of 2020, and another in February of 2021. What is mutual aid and why have people shown such interest during the COVID-19 crisis?
Mutual aid is a concept that involves a community coming together to provide support and resources to its members in times of need. It is a form of collective action that is grounded in the belief that people can and should help each other. It makes sense that people would be interested in mutual aid during a global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when, in America, the very government that people rely on to keep them safe was actively working against them. Without any meaningful support from the top down, people were left with little choice than to develop their own solutions.
In this article, I wanted to explore what mutual aid is and how this organizing principle can help transform communities from the bottom up. Not just as a tool for alleviating suffering during a single crisis, but as a radical idea for creating more equitable and sustainable communities.
A Brief History of Mutual Aid
The idea of mutual aid can be traced back to the earliest civilizations where communities relied on one another for survival. In his book "Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution," Peter Kropotkin, a Russian biologist and anarchist, argued that mutual aid was not just a social practice, but a natural and pervasive force in the evolution of both animals and human societies. In contrast to his contemporary, Charles Darwin, Kropotkin argued that cooperation and mutual support were just as important as competition in driving the development and survival of species.
Stephen Jay Gould, a prominent American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and historian of science, was also a vocal advocate for the importance of mutual aid in society, drawing inspiration from Kropotkin’s work and even writing about him, specifically. In particular, he admired Kropotkin's ability to integrate evolutionary theory with social and political theory, which was unusual for the time. Gould saw mutual aid as a crucial element in the evolution of complex societies, and he argued that it was essential for human survival in the face of challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and other ecological crises.
Gould also believed that Kropotkin's ideas about mutual aid had been largely overlooked and dismissed by mainstream evolutionary theory, in part due to the influence of social Darwinism, which emphasized competition and individualism. Gould saw this as a missed opportunity for evolutionary theory to offer a more complete and nuanced understanding of the natural world and human society.
In his writing, Gould often cited examples from nature to illustrate the power of mutual aid, such as the cooperative behavior of ants and bees, or the social networks of elephants and dolphins. He also pointed to historical examples of mutual aid societies, such as those that arose during the Great Depression, as evidence of the enduring importance of this concept in human society.
Benefits of Mutual Aid
The benefits of mutual aid are numerous, both for individuals and for communities as a whole.
Empowerment: Mutual aid allows people to take control of their own lives and communities, rather than relying on external organizations or government agencies.
Equity: Mutual aid is based on the principle of collective care, which means that everyone in the community is valued and supported, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Sustainability: Mutual aid builds long-term resilience and strength within communities, as people work together to address underlying issues and build sustainable solutions.
Flexibility: Mutual aid is adaptable to different contexts and needs, as communities can come together to address a wide range of issues.
Solidarity: Mutual aid fosters a sense of connection and interdependence within communities, as people come together to support each other in times of need.
In recent years, mutual aid has experienced a resurgence as communities have faced natural disasters, economic crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Mutual aid networks have formed to provide assistance with food, rent, medical bills, and other essential needs. These networks are often decentralized and rely on community members to contribute what they can to support their neighbors. The concept of mutual aid continues to be an important way for people to come together and support each other during difficult times.
As an anarchist, Peter Kropotkin believed that mutual aid was the key to creating a truly free and equal society, one where people could work together for the common good without the need for centralized authority. He believed that mutual aid could help to break down social hierarchies and promote equity by recognizing the agency and autonomy of all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. By valuing the contributions and perspectives of all community members, mutual aid could create a more inclusive and participatory society where everyone had a voice.
Examples of Mutual Aid
Mutual aid can take many different forms, depending on the needs and resources of the community. Some examples of mutual aid initiatives include:
Community Kitchens: These are volunteer-run kitchens that provide free meals to community members who are experiencing food insecurity. They can be found in urban and rural areas, and they rely on donations from individuals and organizations.
Mutual Aid Funds: These are funds that are set up to provide financial assistance to community members who are experiencing economic hardship. They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as paying rent, utilities, medical bills, and other expenses.
Housing Collectives: These are groups of people who come together to share living spaces and resources. This can include shared kitchens, living rooms, and other common areas. Housing collectives can be a way to address the affordable housing crisis and create more sustainable living arrangements.
Mutual Aid Networks: These are networks of individuals and organizations that come together to provide support and resources to one another. They can be organized around specific issues, such as climate change or racial justice, or they can be more general in scope.
Healthcare Cooperatives: These are cooperatives that provide healthcare services to community members. They can be organized around specific issues, such as mental health or reproductive health, or they can provide more comprehensive healthcare services.
Community Gardens: These are gardens that are cultivated by community members and are open to the public. They can provide fresh produce to community members who are experiencing food insecurity, as well as a space for community members to come together and work on a common project.
Mutual Aid Disaster Relief: These are groups that provide assistance to community members during and after disasters. They can provide food, shelter, medical care, and other forms of support to those who have been impacted by disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires.
Mutual Aid and the COVID-19 Pandemic
The practice of mutual aid saw a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic and has come to highlight how communities can come together to support each other in the face of unprecedented challenges. Mutual aid efforts during the pandemic have ranged from providing food, medical supplies, and other essential goods to those in need, to offering emotional support and solidarity to those struggling with isolation and uncertainty.
One of the most notable examples of mutual aid during the pandemic has been the growth of community-led mutual aid networks, such as STL Mutual Aid in St Louis, MO. These networks, often organized through social media and other online platforms, have provided a way for people to connect with each other and offer support in their local communities. Volunteers have offered to do grocery runs for vulnerable individuals, provide transportation to medical appointments, and offer emotional support over the phone or through video chat.
In addition to community-led efforts, many existing organizations and mutual aid groups have expanded their services to meet the needs of those affected by the pandemic. For example, some groups have set up emergency funds to provide financial support to those who have lost income due to the pandemic, while others have organized mutual aid networks specifically for healthcare workers and other essential workers on the front lines of the crisis.
Overall, mutual aid has played a crucial role in helping communities to respond to the challenges of the pandemic. By coming together to support each other, people have been able to build stronger, more resilient communities in the face of adversity.
How Mutual Aid Differs from Charity
Mutual aid is often compared to charity, but there are some key differences between the two. Charity is typically based on the idea of individual philanthropy, where wealthy individuals or organizations donate resources to those in need. While charity can be helpful in certain circumstances, it can also perpetuate a power dynamic where the giver holds all the cards and the receiver is left feeling powerless and dependent.
In contrast, mutual aid emphasizes collective care and community support. It is a grassroots effort, where community members come together to offer assistance, resources, and emotional support to one another. Mutual aid recognizes that everyone has something to contribute, and that by working together, communities can create lasting, sustainable solutions to problems.
Mutual aid operates on the principle of solidarity, where individuals support each other to achieve common goals. It emphasizes that no one is alone, and that through collective action, communities can build resilience and create more equitable and just societies. Mutual aid efforts often prioritize the most marginalized members of the community, recognizing that they are the most in need of support.
Overall, mutual aid is a bottom-up approach to community care that emphasizes collective action, solidarity, and the recognition of the agency and autonomy of all community members. It differs from charity in that it seeks to build lasting, sustainable solutions, rather than providing temporary relief.
Summary
Mutual aid is a grassroots effort based on collective care and community support, emphasizing solidarity and the agency of all community members. It is distinct from charity, which often creates a power dynamic and offers temporary relief. Mutual aid seeks to build lasting, sustainable solutions and prioritizes marginalized members of the community.
Overall, mutual aid builds resilient communities and creates more equitable and just societies through solidarity and the recognition of the agency and autonomy of all community members.