Feminist work is rooted in the liberation of oppression for all, which brings about a conflicting relationship with the state. Where can the state (i.e. government) aid and where does it often fail? The work of mutual aid efforts and transformative justice are active work we can involve ourselves in or utilize in response to state violence or lack of safety provided by the state. Your survival and prosperity should be centered and can through these means.
Mutual Aid Networks
The state and subsequent systems like welfare distribute wealth based on income and other qualifiers while surveillancing those who receive benefits. There can be a lot of loops one has to jump through to qualify for money. These systems designate markers that people must possess to ‘deserve’ money, but many in need are left out, do not receive enough, or need the money faster than the state can provide. By eliminating the need for ‘proof’ to decide whether someone deserves money, everyone has the ability to engage in giving or receiving mutual aid. This is direct money reallocation, many for urgent or immediate need, that discontinues the hierarchy of need. It is an important practice to give aid to heavily marginalized individuals who suffer from inaccess by the state. Mutual aid actions can be found on websites such as this U.S.-focused hub and Global Giving, as well as Instagram accounts like @redistributeurwealth.
Transformative Justice
In response to interpersonal violence, domestic violence, and other forms of harm, we are often given two options to respond: use policing, court systems, and prisons, or to go to a shelter. As policing has a patterned history of worsening the circumstances of survivors of harm and prisons do not often feel like justice and accountability, transformative justice offers alternatives for healing. It is listening to what individuals truly want to heal, bringing about accountability and safety. The methods of centering survivors are explained here, with transformative justice occurring at Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute, Bay Area Transformative Justice Collective, Spring Up, AORTA, Collective Justice, API Chaya, and more.
The Role of Politicians and the State
Having a complicated relationship with the state, we can use it as it can aid us and recognize the faults that pursue us towards external modes of safety. In using the state, it is critical to look at and vote for local and state politicians that want a reallocation of money away from surveillance systems that harm us — such as policing, prisons, and military — toward social services that people more often utilize.
Depending on your positionality and the multiplicities of oppression and violence you face, surviving may be a radical act. To sustain yourself, ensure your well-being, and embrace joy, in a world with systems built to keep you out, your existence is valued. Resources outside of the state are often used by many, and we can share these with those around us to bolster their impact. Knowing we have more options is valuable.