A strong sense of community aptly saturated the atmosphere of Juno Books, as co-authors Laura C. Forster and Joel White discussed Friends in Common: Radical Friendship and Everyday Solidarities. Their shared endeavour highlights the power of interpersonal relationships for transcending established norms and driving social change in a society that is intensely capitalist and anti-social.
Forster and White began the evening with a reminder of the pressing political situation in Palestine, relaying their experience navigating organisations that have shown solidarity. They noted the recent refusal of Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts to endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel or adopt a BDS policy despite over 800 people signing an open letter in support. Although demands were not met, the solidarity amongst signatories highlights Forster and White’s belief that letters “can be revolutionary things”. Thus, they proceeded to share a letter from a friend in the West Bank. By connecting with those on the ground, we can educate ourselves about realities, which can serve as a basis for spurring meaningful action. It is this theme of fostering bigger solidarities through personal friendships that is central to the book’s message.
The significance of letters was also examined through a historical lens. Forster noted that it is useful to look at history as a “form of intergenerational friendship”. By taking materials from the past, we can build connections with people of a different age and broaden our understanding of contemporary issues. This is especially useful for marginalised communities, as Forster felt that finding likeness in people who have endured difficult times can inspire hope, which is a powerful resistance tool when your existence is often regarded as unwelcome. This approach can also offer insight into communities that someone may have little to no interaction with in their everyday life, enabling a nuanced understanding of political causes, people, or events.
Although Forster admitted she likes to think of Friends in Common as a “romantic” book, she recognised that friendship can be difficult, especially within a capitalist model that pushes individualism and personal gain above all else. White mentioned that an “elite sociality” can also be a factor, highlighting that sustainable long-term relationships require integration with mundane daily tasks rather than limiting contact to special occasions that require increased effort. To tackle this issue, it is important to define specific types of friendships. Forster cited Anahit Behnook’s work, BFFs: The Radical Potential of Female Friendship, to highlight the difference between ‘errand’ friends and more distant ‘brunch’ friends. Smiling at Forster, White quipped that he “would recommend writing a book as an errand friend activity”.
Friends In Common rejects the proscriptive image of friendship that has been embedded into the general psyche. By letting go of this ideal, friendships hold the potential for radical change at both personal and global levels. The event clearly resonated with those present as Juno Books sold out of copies that same evening, demonstrating the need for conversations that elevate friendships on the social scale.
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