In theory and practice, mutual aid centers the collective. The organization of the DDGC (Diversity, Decolonization, and the German Curriculum collective) mutual aid action group reflects this fundamental tenet: it has no specific leaders and utilizes a flat, nonhierarchical structure. All network and action group members are empowered to act and respond, to offer and request support, to determine their ability to participate and to step away when necessary. Members share the goals of strengthening the collective and working toward equity and sustainability within German studies by investing in ourselves over the discipline and institutions that uphold and replicate often problematic methods and structures and that, more often than not, exacerbate harmful working situations ([22]). Instead of encouraging disciplinary or institutional competition for resources or support, which is a hallmark of the neoliberal university, mutual aid performs the “radical act” of relying on the community to address needs outside sanctioned spaces ([22]). Whereas many organizations might address problems with committees, academic offices, and chains of command, mutual aid focuses on addressing immediate need through direct support. In his book on mutual aid, Dean Spade points to the Black Panther Party’s ability not only to sustain its community but to highlight the conditions of and social attitudes toward (Black) poverty through their free breakfast program. Such programs build solidarity and, thus, connection to and support of large-scale movements ([22]). (96)
Mutual aid is a complex process that participants must continually revisit, refine, and reflect upon in order to realize its potential. Failure to do so may exclude the very individuals we hope to support or may ignore disciplinary, political, or social changes affecting our network ([23]). The formation of the DDGC mutual aid action group and network was a process informed through fielding mutual aid requests and participating in conversations within our community. In order to determine how we can best engage in a practice of care that has the potential to change—or at least reframe—how we can respond to one another and build meaningful relationships, we have moved with intention and, at times, slowly. (98)
The greatest potentiality of mutual aid lies in shifting relations to focus on the collective. Already from our initial survey of people’s needs and available resources in 2021, it became clear that simply asking for help presents a large barrier ([13]). In the needs survey, respondents could indicate that they needed assistance in several categories, including research/teaching support, mentorship, syllabus support, and citations, among others. The fourth most common response to the survey (tied with mentorship and citation/promotion of one’s work) was “none of the above.” Perhaps our list of categories did not match people’s needs, but only 22 of the 111 respondents indicated that they needed types of support that were not listed. From this, we inferred that many respondents did not need any type of support. On the other hand, all respondents to the question “What can you offer?” indicated they could offer some level of support. Without a more formal survey and analysis, our group could only speculate about the misalignment between offer and needs. One possible explanation is that many in our field do not need any support at all. Another is that many people do not feel comfortable expressing any type of need. If mutual aid is to truly reshape our field, we must start from productive, nurturing relationships that recognize and affirm that we all experience need and that we all should feel comfortable and supported in asking for help. (101-2)