an idealistic manifesto
collective action for collective equality—from Palestine to Congo
“When I gave food to the poor, they called me a saint. When I asked why the poor have no food, they called me a Communist.”—Dom Hélder Câmara, Brazilian Bishop & Human Rights Advocate
This is an idealistic manifesto.
But—it’s important to stress that idealism (for me) doesn’t mean perfectionism. It’s about daring to aspire to a better world.
This manifesto aims to incite collective action to liberate our world from racism, colonialism, and capitalism. I dream of a world where human rights apply to every individual, instead of being reserved for those deemed “worthy”.
I know, it’s idealistic—hence, an idealistic manifesto! But I have faith that together, we can make that world a reality.
1. issue
Our planet has enough resources for all of us to live well. But, while 3.6 billion people (44% of humanity) live on less than $6.85 a day, Oxfam expects (at least) 5 trillionaires to emerge within a decade.
2. why
Not only is inequality wrong and preventable, but it also exists in parallel with our climate crisis, because they both stem from the same root cause: capitalism.
3. who
The world’s five richest billionaires have more than doubled their wealth since the start of this decade, while 60% of humanity has grown poorer (Oxfam). It’s no accident; capitalism runs on inequality.
4. actions
Whether as consumers, employees, business owners, leaders, or government officials, we can all be activists in our own ways.
5. goal
To incite collective action for collective equality. Together, we can free our world from racism, colonialism, and capitalism.
Recommended reading:
10 principles of this manifesto
small actions, big impact
Making a stand means taking risks and being uncomfortable. Taking a bold stance, challenging authority, boycotting unethical brands and organisations: none of it is easy. But the more we unite against inequality and human rights injustices, the stronger and louder the movement gets.
I used to think that if I couldn’t make a substantial difference, I shouldn’t bother. Now I see that’s what allows the top 1% and the ruling class to keep us subservient and disempowered. The status quo = business as usual = a world where inequality and racism are normalised.
Equality is the most basic of human rights.
As explicitly stated in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”
In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the declaration to be a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. That was 77 years ago. I think it’s high time we remind world leaders of our collective right to equality.
It won’t be easy to eliminate capitalism, given how deeply rooted it is in our social, economic, and political systems.
“Toward the end of the 15th century, capitalism—which treats labour as a commodity supported by a legal system that protects private property rights—began to take shape. As European nations established colonies in the Americas, the drive to extract resources and profits from these lands galvanised one of the largest human migrations in history.”—Elizabeth Kennedy
But the good news is that even small actions, when persistent enough, will cause ripples. There’s a lot we can do as individuals, consumers, employees, business owners, leaders, and citizens.
Recommended reading: To Build an Equitable Economy, We Must Understand Capitalism's Racist Heritage - ProMarket
consumers: vote with your wallet
As consumers, WHERE we spend our money makes a huge difference. It allows a business or organisation to keep doing what they’re doing: whether it’s exploiting the environment and/or oppressed communities for profit, or making genuine contributions to society.
A few ways to practise consumer activism:
Buy local: Supporting independent businesses in your community not only develops and empowers the people, but also helps curb carbon emissions from the global logistics and supply chain of imported goods.
While it’s not always possible (or convenient) to avoid big brands, we can strive to support local producers where possible.
Boycott unethical brands: BDS is one of the most powerful ways to keep brands accountable. Apps and platforms such as Boycat, No Thanks (Android/Apple), and Ethical Consumer are helpful resources to identify unethical brands.
If you’d like to know which brands and institutions are aiding and abetting Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians, Francesca Albenese’s report might interest you. Some brands might be easier to boycott than others, but the point is to start small and do what we can, where we can.
Going on a holiday?
Rather than using booking.com or Airbnb (these platforms promote illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories), try booking accommodation directly with local hotels or using alternative platforms. If you’re a UK citizen against Israeli apartheid, you might find Ethical Consumer’s comprehensive list of alternative brands helpful.
Technology is probably the toughest to boycott.
I admit that I love my MacBook Air too much to give it up—despite Apple’s complicity in the human rights violations in Congo, just as I’m too dependent on Google to completely stop using its tools—even as it directly supports the genocide in Gaza.
But the goal here isn’t to be a perfect activist. It’s about being aware and engaged. On that note, freefamilybookswap regularly share useful tips for genocide-free apps and tools and pro-Palestine activism for families on their Instagram.
Consume mindfully: We’re constantly bombarded with promos, deals, and enticing offers, all designed to stimulate impulsive purchases for a hyperconsumerist, hypercapitalist world.
Before buying, ask: Is it a need or FoMo?
Overconsumption greases the wheels of capitalism, concentrating obscene wealth in the hands of a select few—at great cost to the environment, the working class, and local communities.
Under the guise of “green energy”, Big Tech is wreaking havoc in Congo. The lucrative demand for rechargeable batteries to power electric cars and smart devices has led to grievous human rights violations. Slavery, child labour, hazardous and toxic working conditions, human trafficking, the list goes on. Learn more in Slow Factory’s Instagram post below:
Can you repair or trade in your old item?
Here are a few circular fashion brands that offer a range of end-of-life initiatives, including take-back programmes, recycling and upcycling, and repair and leasing, to reduce waste and keep them out of landfills.
Recommended reading:
Francesca's New Bombshell UN Report: Corporations Fueling Genocide in Gaza | Ahmed Eldin
How 'modern-day slavery' in the Congo powers the rechargeable battery economy | NPR
How US Big Tech supports Israel’s AI-powered genocide and apartheid | Opinions | Al Jazeera
businesses: apply doughnut economics
If you’re a business owner, you’re perfectly positioned to help dismantle capitalism. You can embrace a people-first, planet-friendly business model, such as Doughnut Economics. See what that involves—check out the whitepaper in the recommended reading list below this section.
“Instead of economies that need to grow—whether or not they make us thrive, we need economies that make us thrive—whether or not they grow.”—Kate Raworth, creator of Doughnut Economics
The bottom line: Whether you’re a solopreneur, a small business owner, or managing a growing business, disrupting the status quo causes ripples. It all adds up.
Recommended reading:
Introducing Doughnut Economics: putting people—not money—first
What Doughnut Economics means for business: creating enterprises that are regenerative and distributive by design by Doughnut Economics Action Lab
managers & employees: advocate for accountability
I believe it all boils down to accountability. How we conduct ourselves—our commitment to integrity and morality—influences those around us.
As an individual employee, we might not have much influence. But by making a stand for transparency, accountability, and people-first policies, we can get the conversation started and facilitate real change in our professional spaces.
citizens: get political
In the midst of rising fascism around the world, we’re starting to see the converse gaining momentum.
Zohran Mamdani’s authentic socialism is a breath of fresh air, and a much-needed ray of hope—not just for New Yorkers, but also for those of us (especially in the Global South) who are impacted by the US government’s deeply racist, imperialistic human rights-and-international law-be-damned policies.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s newly announced community-led political party aimed to "take on the rich and powerful" and campaign for the redistribution of wealth might be just what the Brits need and want, going by the incredible 700,000 members the party has gained in just one week following its launch.
I’ll be honest: I used to be completely oblivious to politics. I still don’t know much, but October 7, 2023 completely changed my worldview. Suffice to say that Palestine has shown me the truth about how the world works, and helped me connect the dots between racism, colonialism/imperialism, the climate crisis, and capitalism.
collective action for collective equality
From the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s unwavering efforts over the years to break Israel’s siege of Gaza, to Palestine Action’s fearless direct actionists disrupting the UK arms industry for complicity in Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians—the global movement for Palestinian liberation grows stronger and louder with each passing day.
On the 31 August, 2025, the Global Sumud Flotilla launches the largest coordinated civilian flotilla in history. Dozens of boats with hundreds of delegations from over 40 countries (including Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg; grandson of Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandela; former mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau; and many more) are setting sail to Gaza to open up a humanitarian sea corridor. This is the world mobilising in response to Israel’s live-streamed atrocities and barbaric war crimes, which are getting more depraved and psychopathic every day.
If you’re wondering what Palestine has to do with equality, the short answer is: EVERYTHING. As long as Israeli apartheid is allowed to exist and continue oppressing the Palestinians, racism (in the most brutal form) is normalised, international law remains a farce, and equality a myth.
In uniting against racism and human rights injustices, we’re effectively putting cracks in the global capitalist system that’s built on inequality and exploitation, which enables the atrocities in Palestine, Congo, Sudan, and beyond.
It’s all connected. And we’re all connected.
disclaimer
I’m not an expert on these matters (capitalism, sustainability, economics, human rights), so my opinions might be flawed or factually inaccurate. I admit that talking is easy, but doing is hard. That’s why I’m on a personal journey to align my beliefs with taking practical action. I welcome constructive criticism and helpful insights.