“The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives & him that takes.” –Shakespeare
If you substitute mercy with solidarity in this beautiful passage from The Merchant of Venice, the message is the same. Solidarity is not an act of charity nor noblesse oblige but one of the most powerful & reciprocal forces in the world.
It is recognition that as human beings our fates are tied together, that we are bound by economics, religion, culture, & politics–including occupation, colonialism, & war–& that social transformation is forged only by our unity as brothers & sisters to end tyranny & make this world suitable for children to live & love in. Solidarity is the iron law of social transformation.
(Reposted from July 16, 2016 because it’s still true)