Solidarity, not Charity

Mutual aid is working together to accomplish a shared goal; cooperation for the common good.

Charity tends to come from a wealthy person, or corporation, and usually has strings attached. Mutual aid help is given freely in order to better the lives of everyone in the community, knowing everyone will need help at some point. Uruguayan journalist and novelist Eduardo Galeano wrote "I don’t believe in charity. I believe in solidarity. Charity is so vertical. It goes from the top to the bottom. Solidarity is horizontal. It respects the other person. I have a lot to learn from other people."

Throughout history, communities have come together to help provide a wide range of services; from food to financial services, free of charge for their neighbors. Some examples of mutual aid movements throughout history can be found on mutualaid.coop.