We encourage mutual aid between our service seekers and providers, our friends and our comrades, our allies and our neighbors. We believe
that incorporating mutual aid into our lives will help to set the foundation for a freer and more just world.
What Is Mutual Aid?
The term "mutual aid" has been used in various ways over the past two
centuries by everyone from political theorists to emergency workers.
However, when we use it, we are referring to as Wikipedia aptly puts
it "the economic concept of voluntary reciprocal exchange of resources
and services for mutual benefit." In other words, it's a much fairer
and effective way of giving and receiving services and goods than using
money. An example of how mutual aid can be used is if I walk Jane
Schmane's dog for an hour, in exchange for one session of
acupuncture.
While we do not directly discourage Seekers from giving money in return
for the services they receive from Providers, as it may be the most
practical means of payment in any given situation, we do encourage
practicing mutual aid, and not just in regards to the health services
facilitated by this collective, but in as many aspects of life as
possible. Rock Dove believes that by incorporating mutual aid
increasingly into more instances in our lives, it will help to set the foundation
for a freer and more just world.
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