Building Parallel Systems: The Role of Community in Liberation

Empowering Resistance and Resilience Through Collective Action

Introduction

As we continue our Black August series, "Deconstructing the American Business Model," we turn our focus to the power of community in the fight for liberation. When mainstream institutions fail to provide equitable opportunities and perpetuate systemic oppression, marginalized communities have long turned to their own networks, creating alternative systems of support, education, and economics. These parallel systems have been critical in resisting oppression, fostering resilience, and imagining new ways of living that prioritize mutual aid, solidarity, and collective healing. In this article, we will explore historical and contemporary examples of these community-led efforts across various marginalized groups, demonstrating how they serve as a vital strategy in dismantling oppressive structures and building a more equitable society.

The Power of Community Building

Throughout history, marginalized communities have created their own systems of support and resistance when faced with exclusion and discrimination by dominant social, economic, and political structures. By forging these parallel systems, communities have not only survived but thrived, building resilient networks that offer an alternative to oppressive mainstream institutions.

Historical Examples of Parallel Systems

1. The Underground Railroad

   The Underground Railroad serves as a powerful example of a community-led effort that provided a strategic alternative to the oppressive institution of slavery. Comprising a network of secret routes, safe houses, and committed individuals, this system was built on trust, solidarity, and a shared commitment to liberation. Through mutual aid and strategic collaboration, enslaved Africans and their allies created a network that defied the law and resisted the economic foundation of slavery in the United States.

2. Jewish Communities in Eastern Europe

   Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, particularly during times of heightened anti-Semitic persecution, developed their own parallel systems to survive and maintain their cultural identity. The shtetls, or small Jewish towns, were self-contained communities where Jewish laws, education, and customs could be practiced freely, insulated from the often hostile external society. The creation of mutual aid societies, Yiddish schools, and religious institutions allowed these communities to preserve their cultural heritage and resist assimilation pressures.

3. The Irish Under British Rule

   Under British rule, the Irish faced significant cultural and economic suppression, leading them to develop parallel systems to resist and maintain their identity. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), founded in 1884, was more than just a sports organization; it became a symbol of Irish identity and resistance, promoting Irish culture, language, and traditions at a time when these were being systematically eroded by British policies. Similarly, hedge schools emerged as secret educational institutions to teach the Irish language and culture when formal schooling was restricted.

4. New York City as an Immigrant Hub

   New York City has long been the landing place of immigrant communities, each bringing their unique cultural heritage and resilience strategies. Over the years, diverse groups, including Italian, Puerto Rican, and Chinese immigrants, developed their own parallel systems to navigate a city that was both a land of opportunity and a place of systemic exclusion. For example, Italian immigrants formed mutual aid societies and established ethnic banks to support their communities such as what is now known as Bank of America, while Chinese immigrants built Chinatowns as cultural and economic centers that provided a safe haven from discrimination and created opportunities for economic self-sufficiency.

5. Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma

   In the early 20th century, Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, emerged as a thriving hub of African American entrepreneurship, wealth, and self-sufficiency. This community created its own economic structures, including banks, businesses, schools, and hospitals, offering services that were otherwise denied by white-owned establishments. Black Wall Street's success demonstrated the power of economic independence and community support, challenging the racist economic practices of the era.

6. The Civil Rights Movement and Freedom Schools

   During the Civil Rights Movement, Freedom Schools were established to provide an alternative education system that focused on Black history, civil rights, and the tools needed for political activism. These schools were a direct response to the segregated and unequal education system in the South, empowering Black youth with knowledge and critical thinking skills that fueled the broader struggle for equality and justice.

7. Haitian Revolution and Independent Governance

   The Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) is a profound example of a marginalized group overthrowing a colonial power and establishing its own system of governance. Enslaved Africans in Haiti fought against French colonial rule and created the first free Black republic in the Americas. This parallel governance system emphasized independence, self-determination, and collective ownership, resisting the colonial model of exploitation.

8. Palestinian Resistance Networks

   In the face of ongoing occupation and displacement, Palestinian communities have built parallel systems to maintain their cultural identity, support their population, and resist colonial rule. Through grassroots organizations, education initiatives, and international solidarity networks, Palestinians have developed alternative systems that challenge the narratives imposed by the occupying powers and seek to sustain their way of life.

Contemporary Examples of Parallel Systems

1. Community Land Trusts

   In recent years, community land trusts (CLTs) have become a powerful tool for communities to maintain control over their land and housing. By collectively owning and managing land, CLTs provide affordable housing and prevent displacement due to gentrification and speculative real estate practices. These trusts empower communities to build their own housing solutions, fostering economic stability and resisting the commodification of land.

2. Mutual Aid Networks

   During the COVID-19 pandemic, mutual aid networks emerged across the globe as communities organized to support one another in the face of government inaction and systemic inequities. These networks provided essential services, such as food distribution, healthcare support, and financial assistance, demonstrating the strength of community-led efforts to address immediate needs and build long-term resilience.

3. Cooperative Businesses

   Cooperative businesses offer another contemporary example of communities building parallel economic systems. Unlike traditional businesses that prioritize profit for a few, cooperatives are owned and managed by their members, ensuring that profits and decision-making power are distributed equitably. By creating cooperatives, communities can build economic structures that prioritize social and economic justice over exploitation and inequality.

4. Indigenous Governance Models

   Indigenous communities worldwide have long maintained their own governance models that emphasize collective decision-making, respect for the land, and community welfare. In places like Canada and the United States, some Indigenous groups have asserted their sovereignty and developed parallel governance systems to manage their own affairs, reclaim land, and practice traditional ways of life. These models offer a stark contrast to Western hierarchical governance structures and provide valuable lessons in sustainability and community-led decision-making.

Dismantling the 15 Pillars of Supremacy Culture Through Parallel Systems

Creating parallel systems is not just about survival—it's a revolutionary act that directly challenges the 15 pillars of supremacy culture. These pillars include power hoarding, individualism, and fear of open conflict, all of which are dismantled through community-led efforts that prioritize collective decision-making, mutual aid, and transparent communication. By investing in these alternative systems, marginalized communities not only resist the status quo but actively work to dismantle the structures that uphold inequality and oppression.

To dive deeper into understanding the 15 pillars of supremacy culture and how to overcome them, you can purchase my ebook: Dismantling Supremacy Culture: Understanding and Overcoming Its 15 Pillars. I practice an equity model, so I ask that you pay what you can truly afford to make this knowledge accessible to all.

The Role of Community in Dismantling Systemic Oppression

Building parallel systems is not just a response to exclusion and oppression—it is a powerful strategy for dismantling systemic inequality and envisioning new ways of living. By creating their own networks of support, education, and economics, marginalized communities are able to challenge the status quo and demonstrate that alternative ways of organizing society are possible.

Business Correlation: Strategic Alliances and Partnerships

In the business world, strategic alliances and partnerships allow companies to pool resources, share risks, and access new markets, ultimately achieving greater autonomy and success. Similarly, community-led efforts function as strategic alliances that enable marginalized groups to build autonomy, share resources, and create networks of support outside mainstream institutions. Just as businesses form partnerships to strengthen their market position, communities build alliances to strengthen their capacity to resist oppression and foster resilience.

Imagining New Ways of Living

As we envision the dissolution of the American business model and the creation of new, equitable systems, community-led efforts offer a roadmap for what is possible. These efforts remind us that real change comes from the ground up, from communities organizing around shared values of mutual aid, solidarity, and collective healing. By investing in these parallel systems and building stronger alliances, we can begin to dismantle oppressive structures and create a more just and equitable society for all.

As we continue our journey of decolonization and liberation, let us draw inspiration from these efforts and recognize the importance of community-led initiatives in creating a better future. By fostering mutual aid, solidarity, and collective healing, we can build the foundations of a new society that prioritizes equity, justice, and self-determination.

Resource and Reference Section

• "Freedom Farmers: Agricultural Resistance and the Black Freedom Movement" by Monica M. White

• "Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther Party" by Joshua Bloom and Waldo E. Martin Jr.

• "The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex" by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence

• "Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance" by Edgar Villanueva

• "The Chosen Few: How Education Shaped Jewish History, 70-1492" by Maristella Botticini and Zvi Eckstein

• "Palestine Speaks: Narratives of Life Under Occupation" by Cate Malek and Mateo Hoke

• "The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution" by C.L.R. James

• "How the Irish Became White" by Noel Ignatiev

• Ebook: Dismantling Supremacy Culture: Understanding and Overcoming Its 15 Pillars - by Desireé B Stephens

Personal Conclusion: A Journey from Survival to Thriving Community

Growing up in the South Bronx, with a first-generation American Irish mother and a descendant of chattel slavery, Black American father, my early years were marked by the intersections of poverty, resilience, and community. At the height of white flight, the South Bronx was often painted as a place of despair, but to me, it was where I first learned the power of community—the kind that grows in the cracks of a system designed to marginalize and exclude.

My parents taught me that true community is not just about proximity but about shared resources, survival, and, most importantly, shared joy. Amidst the challenges, there was always a sense of belonging and an understanding that we were all in this together. Our neighbors, despite having so little themselves, would always share what they could, be it a meal, a kind word, or a moment of laughter.

This foundation has profoundly shaped my understanding of liberation and the work that still needs to be done. When we talk about building parallel systems and reimagining governance, I think about those early lessons. I think about how, even when systems failed us, we found ways to create spaces where everyone had a chance to thrive. It wasn’t perfect, and it wasn’t without pain, but it was a start—a blueprint for what is possible when people come together, not out of obligation, but out of a genuine desire for collective upliftment.

As we push towards decolonization and the dissolution of oppressive systems, we must remember the power of community that has always existed, especially within spaces of marginalization. It is in these places that true innovation, resilience, and solidarity are born. And it is in these spaces that we must continue to invest our time, energy, and love to build a future where all of us are free to thrive.

The journey ahead is not an easy one, but it is a necessary one. By learning from the past, understanding the structures that have shaped our present, and imagining bold new futures, we can begin to dismantle the American business model of exploitation and create something radically different—something rooted in equity, justice, and the deep-seated understanding that we are all interconnected. This is our legacy work, and it is generational work. But if we remember the lessons of our ancestors and stay committed to the vision of a liberated world, we will create a future that honors all of us.

Creating Equity in Education: Your Support Matters

As we continue this important work, we are committed to ensuring that education remains accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances. Our goal is to reach 1,000 paid subscribers who believe in equity in education and support the labor behind this work. Currently, we are at 78 subscribers. By becoming a paid subscriber, you contribute to a more equitable educational landscape, ensuring that everyone has access to valuable knowledge and resources. If you can afford it, your support helps to make this work sustainable and accessible to those who cannot pay. Join us in creating a more just and inclusive world.

Reflective Questions for Building Parallel Systems

As we conclude this exploration of community-led efforts in dismantling systemic oppression, it's essential to reflect on how we can apply these lessons in our own lives and communities. Consider these questions as you think about the role you can play in creating and sustaining parallel systems:

1. What resources, skills, or knowledge do I have that could contribute to building a community-led effort in my area?
   Reflect on your unique strengths and how you can use them to support or start initiatives that align with the values of mutual aid, solidarity, and collective healing.

2. How can I support existing parallel systems in my community, especially those led by marginalized groups?
   Consider the ways you can offer support, whether through financial contributions, volunteering, or amplifying their work.

3. What steps can I take to challenge the narratives of meritocracy and individualism in my own thinking and in my community?
   Reflect on how these narratives have shaped your understanding of success and consider ways to shift toward a more collective, community-oriented perspective.

4. How can I help dismantle the 15 pillars of supremacy culture within my personal and professional spaces?
   Think about the specific actions you can take to resist supremacy culture and promote inclusivity, equity, and justice in all areas of your life.

5. What can I learn from Indigenous governance models and other non-Western approaches to community leadership and decision-making?
   Explore how these models offer alternatives to hierarchical governance and how they might be adapted or adopted in your own community efforts.

6. How do I understand my role and responsibility in the history of systemic oppression, and how can I be an active participant in creating equitable futures?
   Reflect on your positionality within systems of power and privilege and identify ways you can leverage your position to support and uplift marginalized communities.

In solidarity and community,

Desireé B Stephens