I agree, but also, sometimes “dismantling oppressive social systems” means things like volunteering at a community food bank, or using one’s privilege as a cis woman to obtain free, prescribed estrogen that you can give to a trans woman who is unable to get her HRT officially, or joining a tenants union and turning up to resist an unfair eviction because fighting back as a tenant is hard even when the law is on your side.
It sort of reminds me of trying to stop biting my nails; I made multiple attempts to do so over the years, and I only found success when I realised I needed to replace the habit I was trying to break with a new one, rather than just subtracting the nail biting habit.
For me, recognising that systemic problems lie at the heart of many of my ails led me to look outwards and find solidarity within my community, which has led to me being more securely supported by mutual aid networks and the like.
I agree, but also, sometimes “dismantling oppressive social systems” means things like volunteering at a community food bank, or using one’s privilege as a cis woman to obtain free, prescribed estrogen that you can give to a trans woman who is unable to get her HRT officially, or joining a tenants union and turning up to resist an unfair eviction because fighting back as a tenant is hard even when the law is on your side.
It sort of reminds me of trying to stop biting my nails; I made multiple attempts to do so over the years, and I only found success when I realised I needed to replace the habit I was trying to break with a new one, rather than just subtracting the nail biting habit.
For me, recognising that systemic problems lie at the heart of many of my ails led me to look outwards and find solidarity within my community, which has led to me being more securely supported by mutual aid networks and the like.