Page - 132 - in Reflective Cosmopolitanism - Educating towards inclusive communities through Philosophical Enquiry

132 REfLECTIvE COsMOPOLITANIsM In this case, the question is whether solidarity concerns only closed groups of human beings who defend themselves against others (for example, think of the working class) or whether solidarity can exist in the name of a more general concept, such as equality. In the story, Gaetano clearly expresses the reasons for his actions, particularly in the episode in which he sees his friends attacked by other boys and rushes headlong into the fight in order to defend them. His friends are part of his world and whoever harms them also, in a way, harms him. If he defends them, it is because, in doing so, he is defending himself. In this case, his solidarity would be an egotistical act. However, sometimes people who carry out an act of solidarity seem to disregard their own interest and are willing to jeopardize their own life or defy the law for the sake of an Other. Consider the example of people who have put their lives in danger when violating the laws and norms of their own country in order to save persecuted people. Discussion Plan: Solidarity 1. If my classmate is unjustly scolded by our teacher, do I feel like I am being un- justly scolded myself? 2. If my classmate is unjustly scolded by our teacher, do I defend my classmate against my teacher? 3. If my classmate is unjustly scolded by our teacher, should the whole class rebel? Why? 4. If my little brother or sister is hit by an older child, do I feel like I am being hit? 5. If my little brother or sister is hit by an older child, do I instinctively run to help him or her? 6. If my little brother or sister is hit by an older child, what are the reasons that might make me decide to defend him or her? 7. If I see some people who are making fun of a friend of mine, do I feel like they are making fun of me? 8. If I see some people who are making fun of a friend of mine, do I instinctively react to defend him or her? 9. If I see some people who are making fun of a friend of mine, what are the reasons that might make me decide to defend him or her, and how? 10. If I see a person I don’t know in danger, is it as if I were in danger too? 11. If I see a person I don’t know in danger, do I instinctively help him or her? 12. If I see a person I don’t know in danger, what are the reasons that might make me decide to save him or her? Exercise: Solidarity Khadim is a boy of African origins. His family was evicted by their landlord without notice. Since Khadim’s parents didn’t have a lease, they couldn’t sue for it; on the contrary, the landlord had threatened them – if they didn’t go away immediately he would reported them to the police for squatting. Khadim and his family had to leave the house, and the landlord didn’t give them the deposit back either. Some of their family friends, also Africans, put them up until they could find a new house. The father of one of Khadim’s friends is a lawyer and offered to help them get their money back. The students’ parents had a collection to help them pay the legal costs, which they couldn’t otherwise afford.