Thinking Allowed Solidarity
Jun 3, 2025
Jennifer Chudy, an Assistant Professor at Wellesley College, dives into the complexities of racial sympathy in American politics, questioning why some white individuals feel distress over racial inequality yet fail to act. Andrea Sangiovanni, a philosophy professor at King's College, examines the evolving nature of solidarity, distinguishing it from altruism and justice. Together, they explore the critical relationship between personal connections and collective action in today’s social justice movements, offering insights into turning sympathy into meaningful solidarity.
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Solidarity Defined
- Solidarity is joint action to overcome adversity fueled by identification and willingness to sacrifice.
- It is a modern concept born from concerns about social bonds in large anonymous societies.
Solidarity Beyond Injustice
- Solidarity need not respond only to injustice; it occurs in friendship and mourning too.
- Identification and mutual sacrifice are its core elements, not just shared experiences of injustice.
Egalitarian Commitment in Solidarity
- Solidarity involves commitment among equals, disregarding social status.
- Groups in solidarity may have different ultimate aims but unite for a shared cause.
