I have also watched so many movements die because of this benefactor mindset and lack of solidarity. It is the undertow that created ICE. When we believe that beneficent Americans allow refugees to receive sanctuary, that creates the notion that they are dependent on us. That idea of dependency can be easily curdled into resentment and fear that they are taking advantage of us. Most of our ancestors came here are refugees, indentured people, and enslaved people. Others were migrants. That should breed solidarity in us, if we let it.
This is why it feels impossible to get a Universal Basic Income, Free Healthcare, or Free housing. If everyone benefited it would break the benefactor/recipient mindset and solidarity would grow between peoples and classes. That makes people harder to manipulate, divide, and get to work against their own self-interest.
If we keep the debate centered on empathy and not solidarity, they can divide and conquer. We can divide and fall apart. We can only overcome together.
I have also watched so many movements die because of this benefactor mindset and lack of solidarity. It is the undertow that created ICE. When we believe that beneficent Americans allow refugees to receive sanctuary, that creates the notion that they are dependent on us. That idea of dependency can be easily curdled into resentment and fear that they are taking advantage of us. Most of our ancestors came here are refugees, indentured people, and enslaved people. Others were migrants. That should breed solidarity in us, if we let it.
This is why it feels impossible to get a Universal Basic Income, Free Healthcare, or Free housing. If everyone benefited it would break the benefactor/recipient mindset and solidarity would grow between peoples and classes. That makes people harder to manipulate, divide, and get to work against their own self-interest.
If we keep the debate centered on empathy and not solidarity, they can divide and conquer. We can divide and fall apart. We can only overcome together.