Oxford dictionary defines self-care as “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health”. Self-care is a human necessity, a deliberate and self-initiated way of looking after your physical, mental and even spiritual health. Much around the idea of self-care has been co-opted and watered down by capitalism, but in its most truthful form, will always be an act of resistance.
Self-care includes community care and mutual aid. It’s both asking for and accepting help as well as providing it where you can. Pouring for yourself out of your own cup is never sustainable – we need each other to keep going.
Radical refers to ‘the root of’ something, the natural imagery of which brings to mind a literal root in the soil. This is a cue that being ‘radical’ means including nature and animality in everything we do. A grassroots approach is in solidarity with others - not providing charity for them. Resisting our capitalist and colonialist society, must centre marginalised people, those most disadvantaged by the system, with the least amount of access to rest and healthcare. Our health is affected by the world around us and we are hurting. The death of yet another Black person or trans person as a result of supremacist violence can affect those communities worldwide. It’s a ripple effect of pain.
Even those with the most privilege, are also negatively affected by the way society is. Patriarchy, for example, can mean that for many cis-men, their self-image is based on their perceived masculinity, which often means suppressing emotions, being unhealthily aggressive and isolating themselves. Liberation for all benefits everyone.
Radical community care is a framework to describe the communities and cultures we need to build not only for our survival, but also for us to flourish - to do so, we have to begin at the roots.
Self-care includes community care and mutual aid. It’s both asking for and accepting help as well as providing it where you can. Pouring for yourself out of your own cup is never sustainable – we need each other to keep going.
Radical refers to ‘the root of’ something, the natural imagery of which brings to mind a literal root in the soil. This is a cue that being ‘radical’ means including nature and animality in everything we do. A grassroots approach is in solidarity with others - not providing charity for them. Resisting our capitalist and colonialist society, must centre marginalised people, those most disadvantaged by the system, with the least amount of access to rest and healthcare. Our health is affected by the world around us and we are hurting. The death of yet another Black person or trans person as a result of supremacist violence can affect those communities worldwide. It’s a ripple effect of pain.
Even those with the most privilege, are also negatively affected by the way society is. Patriarchy, for example, can mean that for many cis-men, their self-image is based on their perceived masculinity, which often means suppressing emotions, being unhealthily aggressive and isolating themselves. Liberation for all benefits everyone.
Radical community care is a framework to describe the communities and cultures we need to build not only for our survival, but also for us to flourish - to do so, we have to begin at the roots.