Unity vs. solidarity--great post from DailyKos

[blondeatlast]

(snip)

Unity in the end isn't democratic, it is fascist, especially if it requires uniting around oppressive or inequitable or unjust positions. The desire to feel strength in the power of numbers is, I'd suggest a cowardly one. To have everyone accept your tenets, your definitions, your values and your policies is a recipe for stagnation.

Solidarity on the other hand, provides support and the possibility for a common cause without requiring the relinqishment of differing interests. It expands the discussion, the process and the possibilities. We don't all need to agree, and we don't even help each other if we do. Solidarity is what politics and what community is about, not forcing single issues, solutions, identities or approaches, but about forging connections.

Solidarity is more than compromise, and shouldn't be mistaken as such. At its core is respect: respect for people and their experiences, respect for possibility, respect for the not-yet-known. It doesn't require assimilation (which must always contain some degree of erasure) and it belies two-dimensional (black and white) thinking.

Its a concept that's not foreign to US political history, but is certainly not familiar to contemporary politics. Its also the foundation of progressive politics.

more...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/11/3/14456/5254

[m berst]

1. good find, thanks

Brilliant writing by a gilas girl there. Understanding the difference between solidarity and unity she describes is a key to understanding most of the confusion and arguments here at DU, I think.

More from the article -

<snip>

Solidarity is more than compromise, and shouldn't be mistaken as such. At its core is respect: respect for people and their experiences, respect for possibility, respect for the not-yet-known. It doesn't require assimilation (which must always contain some degree of erasure) and it belies two-dimensional (black and white) thinking.

Its a concept that's not foreign to US political history, but is certainly not familiar to contemporary politics. Its also the foundation of progressive politics.

This is the kind of work that needs to be done now. Its a small place to start, but begin here, with the difference between a politics of unity and a politics of solidarity and see the different directions they each yield. Then make that part of the move to rebuild maintain and rebuild a progressive and democratic America.

<snip>

I think the writer is correct - we cannot build a progressive political movement using the "unity" model. The battle between unity and solidarity proponents is going on right here every day. What can we do to turn things around here?

[blondeatlast]

2. Read the referenced post, but I guess too many people need

to butt heads together here before we can come to that!

I'm glad someone found this, I read it at work and couldn't wait to post it here.

[m berst]

3. kick

Wishing we could get some comments on this. :)

[blondeatlast]

4. I really hope some more will read this, excellent stuff from a DKOSer.

:kick: