community care collective pdf

The Care Manifesto is a radiant invitation to transform our economy and society, a roadmap for how we can emerge from overlapping crises and weave a new social fabric. The Care Collective 2020, p. 2.. The Care Collective 2020, p. 5.. Hall et al 1978;. Fischer et al 1996.. Jones et al 2017.. Bhattacharyya et al 2021.. It is available as a free PDF download from various online platforms, including Academia.edu.

Introduction

The Community Care Collective is a group of individuals and organizations dedicated to promoting and enacting a more caring and just society. Their work is rooted in the belief that care is not just a personal responsibility but a collective one, and that it should be at the heart of our political, economic, and social systems. The Care Collective has published a manifesto, titled “The Care Manifesto⁚ The Politics of Interdependence,” which outlines their vision for a world where care is central to our lives. This manifesto has gained significant attention for its bold and comprehensive approach to reimagining care in the 21st century.

The manifesto addresses a range of issues, including the global crisis of care, the need for a caring government, and the importance of collective joy. It calls for a shift in our understanding of work, kinship, and public space, all with the aim of creating a more caring and just society. The manifesto also emphasizes the urgent need to address the climate crisis and put care at the center of our relationship with the natural world. The Care Collective’s work has been praised by scholars and activists for its timely and insightful analysis of the role of care in our lives.

This article will explore the key themes of the Care Manifesto and the broader work of the Community Care Collective. It will delve into the importance of collective care, the politics of care as a political act, and the concept of an ecology of care. It will also examine the intersection of care and social justice, and explore the potential for building community care ecosystems. Ultimately, this article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Community Care Collective’s vision for a more caring and just world.

What is the Community Care Collective?

The Community Care Collective is a diverse group of individuals and organizations united by a shared vision for a more caring and just society. They recognize the inherent interconnectedness of all beings and advocate for a radical shift in how we understand and practice care. This collective goes beyond traditional notions of care, which often focus on individual responsibility and private acts of kindness. Instead, they emphasize the political and systemic nature of care, arguing that it must be woven into the fabric of our social, economic, and political structures.

The Community Care Collective’s work is rooted in the belief that care is not a finite resource to be distributed among autonomous individuals, but rather a fundamental human need and a vital element of social well-being. They challenge the neoliberal framework that prioritizes individualism and competition, arguing that it has led to a global crisis of care, leaving many individuals and communities vulnerable and underserved.

Their efforts extend beyond simply identifying the problems; they actively seek to build a world where care is not an afterthought but a cornerstone of our shared future. This involves advocating for systemic changes that prioritize care in all aspects of life, from healthcare and education to housing and environmental protection. The Community Care Collective is a growing movement that is inspiring others to join them in envisioning and creating a more caring and just world for all.

The Care Manifesto

The Care Manifesto, published by the Community Care Collective in 2020, is a powerful and timely call to action. It outlines a vision for a society centered on care, challenging the dominant neoliberal paradigm that prioritizes individualism and economic growth over collective well-being. The manifesto recognizes the interconnectedness of all beings and argues that a caring society requires a fundamental shift in our values, policies, and practices.

The Care Manifesto tackles a wide range of issues, from healthcare and education to environmental justice and social equity. It calls for the expansion of our understanding of care to encompass not only individuals but also communities, ecosystems, and the natural world. The manifesto advocates for a “promiscuous care” that embraces interdependence and challenges the traditional boundaries of family, community, and nation.

The Care Manifesto proposes a concrete set of actions for building a more caring society. These include investing in public services, promoting cooperative models of work, reclaiming public spaces, and fostering a culture of collective responsibility. It emphasizes the need for a caring government that prioritizes the well-being of all its citizens, not just a select few. The Care Manifesto is a roadmap for a more just and sustainable future, one that embraces care as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of societal well-being.

The Importance of Collective Care

The Community Care Collective emphasizes the crucial role of collective care in fostering resilient and thriving communities. Collective care recognizes that individual well-being is inextricably linked to the well-being of others and the environment; It challenges the prevailing individualistic ethos that isolates individuals and promotes competition, instead promoting a sense of interconnectedness and shared responsibility.

Collective care goes beyond traditional notions of caregiving, which often fall disproportionately on women and marginalized groups. It emphasizes the importance of mutual aid, community support networks, and collective action in addressing social and environmental challenges. This approach acknowledges the limitations of individual efforts and underscores the power of collective action in creating meaningful change.

The Community Care Collective argues that collective care is essential for building a more just and sustainable future. It promotes a more equitable distribution of resources, empowers marginalized communities, and fosters a sense of belonging and solidarity. By prioritizing the needs of the collective over individual gain, collective care fosters a more humane and compassionate society.

Care as a Political Act

The Community Care Collective redefines care as a fundamental political act, challenging the notion that it is merely a private or personal responsibility. They argue that care is a vital force for social change, capable of dismantling oppressive systems and creating a more equitable world. By recognizing care as a political act, the Collective seeks to elevate its significance and challenge the devaluation of care work, particularly in the context of capitalist societies.

The Collective highlights the ways in which care is often exploited and undervalued, especially for those who are most vulnerable. This includes women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities. They emphasize the need for a radical shift in how we value and prioritize care work, recognizing its essential role in sustaining life and fostering social justice.

The Community Care Collective advocates for a reimagining of care as a collective responsibility, demanding that governments and institutions prioritize care in their policies and practices. They call for the creation of a care economy that supports and values care work, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need. By recognizing care as a political act, the Collective aims to create a world where care is not just a necessity, but a fundamental right for all.

The Ecology of Care

The Community Care Collective emphasizes the interconnectedness of care and the environment, advocating for an “Ecology of Care” that recognizes the interdependence of human well-being and the health of the planet. This perspective challenges the dominant paradigm of individualistic and exploitative practices that have led to ecological degradation and social injustice.

The Collective argues that a truly caring society must prioritize environmental sustainability and ecological responsibility. They call for a shift in our relationship with the natural world, moving away from a mindset of domination and exploitation towards one of care and stewardship. This requires a fundamental change in our values, policies, and practices, embracing a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of all living beings.

The Ecology of Care encompasses not only the physical environment but also the social and cultural ecosystems that sustain human life. It recognizes the importance of community, solidarity, and mutual support in creating a thriving and sustainable future. By promoting an Ecology of Care, the Collective seeks to inspire a movement towards a more just and sustainable world, where the well-being of both people and the planet are prioritized.

Care and Social Justice

The Community Care Collective recognizes that care is fundamentally intertwined with social justice. They argue that the current systems of oppression and inequality, including racism, sexism, ableism, and classism, are rooted in a lack of care and a prioritization of individual gain over collective well-being. The Collective calls for a dismantling of these oppressive systems and the creation of a more just and equitable world where care is central to all social and political structures.

The Collective highlights how care is often undervalued and unequally distributed, with marginalized groups disproportionately bearing the burden of caregiving; They advocate for a redistribution of care resources and responsibilities, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need, regardless of their social identity or economic status. This requires a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize care, recognizing it as a fundamental human right and a crucial component of a just society.

The Community Care Collective believes that social justice cannot be achieved without a commitment to care. They emphasize the need for a care-based approach to social change, one that prioritizes the well-being of all individuals and communities. This requires a commitment to dismantling oppressive systems and creating a world where everyone can thrive, free from the burdens of inequality and injustice.

Community Care Ecosystems

The Community Care Collective envisions a world where care is woven into the fabric of our communities, creating a network of support and mutual aid. They advocate for the development of “community care ecosystems,” where individuals and organizations work together to meet the needs of their community members. These ecosystems would go beyond traditional caregiving models, embracing a more holistic and interconnected approach.

The Collective emphasizes the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in creating these ecosystems. This involves building relationships between different community groups, organizations, and individuals, fostering a sense of collective ownership and responsibility for care. They advocate for the development of local initiatives, community-based organizations, and social enterprises that prioritize care and well-being.

These ecosystems would be designed to meet a wide range of needs, from childcare and elder care to mental health support and food security. They would also address the social determinants of health, recognizing that factors like poverty, housing insecurity, and lack of access to education can have a significant impact on individual and community well-being. By creating a network of interconnected support systems, community care ecosystems aim to build a more just, equitable, and caring world.

The Future of Collective Care

The Community Care Collective envisions a future where collective care is not just a fringe concept, but a fundamental principle shaping our societies. They see a future where care is recognized as a shared responsibility, not solely the burden of individuals or families. This future requires a fundamental shift in our social and economic structures, moving away from individualistic models towards a more collaborative and interconnected approach.

The Collective envisions a future where care is integrated into all aspects of our lives, from our workplaces to our schools to our communities. This means reimagining our institutions to prioritize care and well-being, fostering a culture where care is valued, nurtured, and accessible to all. It also means challenging existing power structures and dismantling systems of oppression that disproportionately burden marginalized communities.

The future of collective care is not just about providing services; it’s about building a more just and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. It’s about recognizing the interconnectedness of all life and building a world where care is at the heart of everything we do.

The Community Care Collective’s manifesto is a powerful call to action, urging us to reimagine our world through the lens of care. It challenges us to move beyond individualistic notions of success and embrace a more interconnected and interdependent way of living. The Collective argues that care is not a luxury but a necessity, a foundation for a more just and equitable society.

The manifesto is a bold vision for a future where care is at the heart of our political and economic systems. It recognizes that care is a fundamental human need, not a private responsibility, and that it must be woven into the fabric of our lives; By embracing the principles outlined in the manifesto, we can begin to create a world where care is not just a concept, but a reality.

The Community Care Collective’s work is a testament to the power of collective action and the potential for positive change. Their manifesto serves as a blueprint for a more caring and just world, one where we are all interconnected and responsible for each other’s well-being.