In many activist spaces, “inclusivity” is championed as a core principle. However, there is a profound difference between simply inviting people into a space and practicing Active Solidarity. As we work to dismantle external systems of oppression, we must remain vigilant about how those same systems—racism, patriarchy, ableism, and colonial capitalism—reproduce themselves within our own organizations.
Active solidarity is the intentional practice of identifying and transforming these dynamics to build genuine collective agency and resilience.
The Challenge: The Mirror of Systemic Oppression
Our groups do not exist in a vacuum. They are shaped by a global and historical system of interlocking forms of oppression. When we ignore these influences, we risk:
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Reproducing Harm: Unconsciously mirroring the marginalization, silencing, and erosion of trust found in the wider world.
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Trauma Responses: Creating environments that trigger anxiety and trauma, particularly for those already marginalized.
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Tokenism: Inviting diverse voices but failing to provide the structural equity needed for those voices to lead or influence outcomes.
Key Pillars of Active Solidarity
To move from passive inclusion to active solidarity, groups must focus on three interconnected areas:
1. Equity Over Equality
While equality suggests giving everyone the same resources, equity recognizes that we all start from different positions due to systemic injustice.
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Structural Support: This means providing specific resources—whether financial, educational, or emotional—to ensure that those most impacted by oppression have a genuine seat at the table.
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Removing Barriers: Identifying the invisible “barriers to entry” (such as language, physical accessibility, or communication styles) that prevent full participation.
2. The Process of Empowerment
Empowerment is not something one person “gives” to another; it is a process of reclaiming agency.
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Moving Beyond Survival: For those experiencing social oppression, empowerment often involves a messy transition from “survival mode” toward a healthy, collective identity.
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Validation: Utilizing exclusive spaces or caucuses can be a vital first step, allowing individuals to have their experiences validated by others who share similar backgrounds before reintegrating into the larger group.
3. Accountability and Privilege
For those in positions of relative privilege, active solidarity requires a shift in perspective.
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Unlearning Complicity: Recognizing that complicity with harmful systems is often subconscious. Solidarity requires the humility to be challenged and the commitment to change behaviors that undermine others’ agency.
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Sharing the Burden: It is not the responsibility of the marginalized to “educate” the privileged. Active solidarity means taking on the labor of identifying and dismantling systemic violence within the group.
Building Resilient Movements
The goal of active solidarity is not to achieve a state of “perfection,” but to build organisational resilience. When we have the skills to identify and transform oppressive dynamics, we create a “fugitive equilibrium”—a responsive, living balance that allows us to stay aligned with our values.
By prioritizing equity and empowerment, we transform our groups from mere task-oriented teams into truly transformative spaces where every individual can flourish. This internal work is not a distraction from the “real work” of social change; it is the foundation upon which lasting social change is built.