Lesson 5: Building Solidarity
From "Helping" to "Standing With": The Ethics of Action
Lesson Overview
Focus
Moving beyond "performative" support to real action.
Key Concept
Kotahitanga (Unity/Solidarity)
Outcome
Students create an ethical action plan.
Karakia Timatanga | Cultural Opening
"He waka eke noa"
We are all in this waka together.
Solidarity is not about one group "saving" another. It is about paddling the waka together, in the same direction, with everyone knowing their role.
Phase 1: Charity vs. Allyship vs. Solidarity (15 mins)
🧭 The Spectrum of Support
Not all "helping" is helpful. We need to distinguish between these three approaches.
Charity
"I help you."
Often short-term. Can make the giver feel good but doesn't change the system. Power stays with the giver.
Top-DownAllyship
"I stand with you."
Using privilege to support others. Listening to those affected. Often individual actions.
RelationalSolidarity
"We fight together."
Shared risk. Collective action. Understanding that your freedom is tied to mine.
TransformationalDiscussion: Can you think of an example for each?
- Donating cans to a food bank? (Charity)
- Speaking up when someone makes a racist joke? (Allyship)
- Marching together to change a law that hurts both groups? (Solidarity)
Phase 2: Solidarity in Action (20 mins)
📜 Examples from History
Solidarity isn't new. Indigenous groups have long supported each other.
Springbok Tour Protests (NZ)
Māori and Pākehā united to stop the rugby tour in solidarity with Black South Africans living under Apartheid. "Waitangi to Soweto."
Standing Rock (USA)
Thousands of Indigenous flags from around the world (including Tino Rangatiratanga) flew at the camp to stop the oil pipeline. Māori lawyers traveled to support the legal fight.
Toitū Te Tiriti
Voices from across Aotearoa (all backgrounds) joining together to uphold the Treaty.
Phase 3: Spotting the 'Red Flags' (25 mins)
🚩 Saviourism vs. Support
Sometimes people try to help but end up centering themselves or causing harm. This is called "White Saviourism" or "Performative Activism."
⚠️ The Red Flags Checklist
- ❌ Taking a selfie with vulnerable children for likes.
- ❌ Speaking for a group instead of passing the mic.
- ❌ Helping only when the cameras are rolling.
- ❌ Assuming you know the solution without asking the locals.
✅ Green Flags (Ethical Action)
- ✅ "Nothing about us without us."
- ✅ Amplifying voices that are already there.
- ✅ Doing the unglamorous work (washing dishes, donating quietly).
- ✅ Checking your bias before acting.
Whakamutunga | Reflection
Question: Think of one cause you care about. What is one solidarity action (not just charity) you could take?
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi. (With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.)