Mutual Aid, Anarchism, Embodiment, and Radical Openness
Anarchism is often characterized as difficult to define. It’s not that one cannot identify particular anarchistic characteristics, but instead when we start to pinpoint particular features- it inevitably leads to the question,
“So then what makes anarchism different than X?”
And therein is where we begin the slippery descent into the unknown. We can certainly theorize how to pinpoint the difference between anarchism and X, and we can attempt to define anarchism by what it isn’t. However, any experienced armchair anarchist (and there are some) or anarchist theorist knows that inevitably to go down this road in the first place, means that they will never successfully define it.
What makes anarchism separate from other forms of radicalism is that the practice comes first, the theory always follows.
We define anarchism often by what it isn’t, because we live in a world where institutions and hierarchy has left us unable to describe, let alone imagine alternatives to the violent systems of oppression we encounter every day.
To practice anarchism means to carve out an existence outside of the imaginary borders and restrictions to who we can be and how we can live our lives.
But we know those limitations that have been handed to us are not really there. They’ve been created by those in power to maintain and support their systems of dominance, hegemonic spheres of influence, and ensure compliance when no one is there to enforce it.
So the practice of anarchism is not just important; it’s vital. It demonstrates an alternative, an answer to the question- If we do not adhere to rules of those in control, than how do we survive?
Mutual aid becomes a way of enacting an alternative.
It’s not just a naïve attempt at reaching out, but instead a lived belief that through sustaining these types of connections we can build something better.
It’s a recognition that the pain and suffering we encounter from not fitting in-- isn’t caused by the lack of adherence to mythological social norms, but instead it’s the failure of those norms to attend to the fundamental obligation of what it means to be a member of the human species.
Mutual aid and radical openness are connected to anarchism, because the anarchistic embodiment of these practices is a correction to the failure of our current society.
