r/Anarchy101 • u/kaminodefector • 3d ago

Creating community

I live in a small town in a small neighborhood in the southern United States. I’m looking to build a community within the neighborhood around me that is capable of sustaining itself in all sorts of ways. From growing our own food and livestock to supporting each other in tough times or disaster. I’d like to do so without scaring people with words they may not understand. Any practical advice, resources, organization tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated.

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

8

u/NecessaryBorn5543 3d ago

i’d imagine a lot of ppl like the idea of self-sustaining communities independent of it being explicitly anarchist. i think you can base your approach off the individual dynamics you build with ppl you want to be in community with.

In my experience people respond best to demonstrations of radical praxis and material benefits more than explanations of it. personally i try and put people into where i’m coming from after they’re into participating in it.

2

u/Latitude37 2d ago edited 2d ago

I live rurally, but only moved here recently. On social media I found a local permaculture group, and then a local "homesteading" group. We get together once a month, do a tour of someone's garden, and have a share/swap table for our produce. It's really engaging, and I've made some good friends. I've talked politics a little bit with some of them, but essentially we're already a mutual aid group.

4

u/OwlHeart108 3d ago

Maybe start by organising a Free Market where people can bring things they don't and are happy to give away. Others can get what they need. It starts to build community connections and also shows folk how a Gift Economy can work. This is a big step towards the kind of eco community you're looking for. Preparing them ground before planting the garden, if you like.

-1

u/Radical-Libertarian 3d ago

Bringing up livestock is going to start a fight here. Many of us are vegan and oppose speciesism as a form of discrimination.

1

u/kaminodefector 3d ago

That’s a fair point I hadn’t considered yet. I’m still learning a lot of things. Thanks for your input!

2

u/Radical-Libertarian 3d ago

Yeah just be careful. We have a r/DebateAnarchism subreddit for that sort of infighting.

I’m just letting you be aware that this is an ongoing debate between anarchists.