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alexrinehart's review
5.0
benplatt's review
4.0
A solid primer meant for wide-scale reading, distribution, and use in mutual aid networks. Most of the book is dedicated to potential frameworks and best practices mutual aid groups might adopt to ensure they can build power according to their goals, although, unlike the title might suggest (at least to my eyes), the discussion is primarily focused on building power within your own mutual aid group rather than expanding into inter-group solidarity. That larger project is mentioned, but this book is more practically focused on helping you get your own group running and doing the work. In that specific use-case, it's an excellent little reference guide.
k_c_y's review
4.25
clear, practical, and helpful. I agree with a review that said this book could have spent more time discussing how to center access, from a disability justice pov, in mutual aid organizing. personally, this in combo with parts of care work: dreaming disability justice will help orient me; on its own, I feel like it has some gaps. but I've found this really helpful in thinking about how to work in community with others, how to work and organize sustainably, and how to build and tend a non-hierarchical team structure. will be returning to this handbook in the future
passworlds__'s review
informative
fast-paced
3.75
informative, short read on mutual aid and how to start or better a mutual aid organization. this short pocket guide goes over many things including how mutual aid orgs differ from charities or non-profits and the different challenges and difficulties in being a part of, running, and starting a mutual aid org. i picked up this book because i was introduced to the concept of mutual aid in one of my public affairs classes and wanted to know more about what it truly meant. And though I don't think i have a great grasp on the concept still, I do think I came out of this book feeling better informed and less intimidated by mutual aid organizations
erinlcrane's review
4.0
I found this very, very helpful because while I knew of mutual aid, I was not clear on specifics. This book is great for that introductory information.
It’s actually also really good if you want to think about starting your own mutual aid program. There’s a lot of practical “how-to” advice. I can’t say how useful it is since it’s not like I’m going to make use of that information to start a program. But it gave me an idea of the inner workings of such a group.
The last bit of chapter 5 was a bit odd because it gets in a little deep on conflict management and burnout. It felt too deep for this book but also not deep enough to be truly useful. I guess it gives you an idea of common problems.
I also wondered about issues of pay. Spade’s concern about the way being paid for the work impacts the organization makes sense to me. But I think it’s a shame that paying people for their time would be complicated. It brought to mind mission trips that go to x country and paint a school when they could have paid locals to paint it. At what point should mutual aid be about hiring local BIPOC owned businesses to do the work? There are cases where that wouldn’t be possible or wouldn’t make sense, but are there cases where it does?
It’s actually also really good if you want to think about starting your own mutual aid program. There’s a lot of practical “how-to” advice. I can’t say how useful it is since it’s not like I’m going to make use of that information to start a program. But it gave me an idea of the inner workings of such a group.
The last bit of chapter 5 was a bit odd because it gets in a little deep on conflict management and burnout. It felt too deep for this book but also not deep enough to be truly useful. I guess it gives you an idea of common problems.
I also wondered about issues of pay. Spade’s concern about the way being paid for the work impacts the organization makes sense to me. But I think it’s a shame that paying people for their time would be complicated. It brought to mind mission trips that go to x country and paint a school when they could have paid locals to paint it. At what point should mutual aid be about hiring local BIPOC owned businesses to do the work? There are cases where that wouldn’t be possible or wouldn’t make sense, but are there cases where it does?
nookandcrannyseattle's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.5
Hard to rate. There were interesting elements, but it was less about mutual aid conceptually and more of a guide to improving existing mutual aid group efforts. I don't think I was the target audience.
jazzzzzis's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was a well-written and extremely practical guide to mutual aid— what it is, why we do it, and how can we do it. I found it immensely informative and the almost work-book like sections that called for reflection were very thought-provoking and will make great journaling prompts. I feel inspired and hopeful!