Community is Resistance: Building Networks of Care in the Face of Oppression
In a world increasingly shaped by far-right policies, corporate greed, and growing authoritarianism, it makes sense to feel afraid about what the future may hold. The election of Donald Trump to a second term has many people feeling anxious in the United States and abroad, but the rise of the far-right is not exclusively American nor is it new. That is why we need to be ready for whatever comes next, making the concept of community as resistance is not only timely but essential. Building strong relationships with our friends, families, neighbors, and even the ecosystems around us provides a foundation for mutual aid and collective strength. It’s through these connections that we can counter the isolating and exploitative systems imposed by capitalism and the powerful elites.
Anarchism is rooted in principles of collective care, cooperation, and autonomy. It is one of the earliest forms of socialism, offering a blueprint for building a society without hierarchies of domination. When we build communities, we aren’t just reacting to oppression; we are actively creating the world we wish to live in. Community-building is an act of resistance because it undermines the atomization demanded by capitalist and other authoritarian systems. It is both a shield against harm and a seed for a better tomorrow.
The Power of Connection
Community begins with relationships, the intricate web of connections that sustain us emotionally, physically, and spiritually. In times of crisis — whether environmental disaster, economic collapse, or political violence — these relationships become lifelines. The far-right thrives on division and fear. It isolates individuals, fostering competition rather than collaboration. By contrast, strong communities create networks of solidarity that can withstand external pressures.
But what does it mean to build community? It’s more than simply knowing your neighbor’s name or attending an occasional event. Community is about cultivating trust, care, and shared responsibility. It’s about showing up for one another in meaningful ways, whether that’s sharing food during hard times, offering emotional support, or organizing collective resistance against an immediate threat.
This principle extends beyond human relationships. Building connections with the land, plants, and animals around us fosters an ecological sense of community. The far-right often disregards environmental stewardship in favor of short-term profit. By tending to our gardens, respecting wildlife, and practicing sustainable living, we resist the destruction of our ecosystems and reassert our place as a part of a larger whole.
Mutual Aid: A Framework for Resistance
One of the most powerful tools in the anarchist tradition is mutual aid. Coined and popularized by anarchist thinker Peter Kropotkin, mutual aid is the practice of individuals and groups coming together to meet each other’s needs without relying on hierarchical structures. Unlike charity, which often reinforces power imbalances, mutual aid is grounded in equality and reciprocity.
Mutual aid has been more well-known since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, where people around the world formed mutual aid groups to help each other when larger systems failed to support them. It was a spark that illustrated what was possible when people come together as a community.
Mutual aid can take many forms:
Community kitchens that ensure no one goes hungry.
Clothing swaps and free stores that redistribute resources.
Skill-sharing workshops where people teach one another practical tools for survival and creativity.
Disaster response collectives that mobilize when state systems fail.
These networks are not just about surviving; they’re about building infrastructure that allows for us to thrive, both under capitalism as well as beyond. By practicing mutual aid, we model the kind of society we wish to live in—one where care and cooperation replace competition and exploitation.
Diverse Approaches to Building Community
There is no one-size-fits-all method to fostering community. Each neighborhood, culture, and ecosystem has its unique needs and strengths. Here are a few approaches to consider:
1. Grassroots Organizing
Grassroots organizing brings people together around shared concerns. Whether it’s fighting for tenants’ rights, pushing back against police violence, or demanding climate action, these groups often serve as entry points for broader community-building efforts. Organizing teaches collective decision-making and empowers individuals to challenge systems of oppression.
2. Neighborhood Gatherings
Simple acts like hosting block parties, potlucks, or skill-sharing meetups can break the isolation that modern life often imposes. These gatherings create spaces for conversation and collaboration, where neighbors can learn about one another’s needs and strengths. While direct action and organizing are often thought of as the definition of “taking action,” building community often starts with something as simple as breaking bread.
3. Gardening and Ecological Stewardship
Community gardens, urban farming initiatives, and rewilding projects connect people to the land and each other. Growing food together not only provides sustenance but also fosters independence from exploitative systems. These efforts often build solidarity across generations and cultures.
4. Art and Culture
Art has always been a tool for resistance, capable of bringing people together and sparking collective imagination. Public murals, theater performances, and music events can celebrate local identities while addressing shared struggles. These projects also create opportunities for collaboration and storytelling.
5. Support Networks
In times of crisis, support networks ensure that no one falls through the cracks. These can include childcare cooperatives, elder care collectives, or mental health peer support groups. By meeting one another’s basic needs, we weaken the systems that profit from our suffering.
6. Direct Action
Resistance often requires direct action, whether it’s blocking pipelines, striking against exploitative employers, or disrupting the operations of far-right organizations. These actions are most effective when rooted in strong community networks that provide material and emotional support.
Resisting Authoritarianism Through Solidarity
The far-right often relies on the myth of individualism to justify its policies. It frames social safety nets as unnecessary and portrays those in need as failures. This narrative is a lie. Humans have always survived through cooperation. By building strong communities, we reject the far-right’s worldview and create spaces where everyone can thrive together.
Community is also a buffer against surveillance and repression. Authoritarian governments often target isolated individuals, making it easier to quash dissent. But when people stand together, they become harder to silence. A network of relationships provides not only material support but also a sense of belonging that strengthens resilience.
For example, during the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas, Mexico, indigenous communities established autonomous municipalities governed by participatory democracy and collective decision-making. These communities have resisted neoliberal policies and state control for decades, showcasing the possibility of creating egalitarian and sustainable alternatives to traditional state structures, even in the face of persistent military and political pressure.
Proactive Resistance: Building the World We Want
Community is not just a reaction to oppression; it is a proactive vision for the future. Every relationship we build, every skill we share, and every act of care is a step toward the world we wish to see. Anarchism teaches us that freedom is not the absence of responsibility but the collective management of our lives and resources.
In this sense, community-building is revolutionary. It challenges the foundations of capitalism, which thrives on competition and scarcity. It undermines patriarchy, which isolates individuals in rigid roles. It defies white supremacy, which fractures communities through violence and exclusion. By practicing solidarity and mutual aid, we prefigure a society based on equity, care, and autonomy.
Anarchism reminds us that the fight for a better world is not just about tearing down unjust systems—it’s about creating alternatives. Community is resistance because it empowers us to dream, to build, and to thrive together. In every garden we tend, every meal we share, and every act of mutual aid, we plant the seeds of liberation. Let us water those seeds, knowing that our strength lies in our connections and our collective hope for a brighter future.