It is not commonalities that motivate solidarity-based action because radical solidarity does not involve siding with those who are the same or similar, with whom we share experiences and living conditions. Instead, it is unconditional solidarity with people with whom we have no common history or ascribed identity. It is a „solidarity of struggle,“ not only in the sense of „solidarity against,“ which is united against inhumanity and inequality, but also in the sense of fighting for more justice within its own ranks.
Solidarity is always a reciprocal process of building new relationships that change everyone involved. It is, therefore, a transformative process. Moreover, unconditional solidarity is always a practice that can (and should) take on institutionalized forms to create social conditions that perpetuate solidarity.
Solidarity is unconditional insofar as it is not a barter of rights and duties or costs and benefits and is not based on the expectation of a return service—even if it is always reciprocal. Finally, solidarity is also unconditional in an emphatic sense: it is urgent and absolutely necessary.
Image: Stephanie Winter, BOARD OF IMAGINATION – Figure#2, 2024
Text: Lea Susemichel (journalist, author), 2024.produced by RADICAL CARE (Stephanie Winter – artistic vision/ research; Nora Mayr – dramaturgy/ research).Supported by Bundesministerium Kunst, Kultur, öffentlicher Dienst und Sport.
