From the Latin roots of the word “solidarity” to shared responsibility: what holds together what would otherwise fall apart
There are words that seem light but are actually heavy.
“Solidarity” is one of them. We use it as an expression of kindness, but at its core lies an idea of unity, structure, and bond.
It comes from the Latin solidus: that which is whole, compact. And even before becoming a moral virtue, solidarity was a legal category.
Joint and several liability: when liability is not shared
In legal Latin, there was the expression *in solidum*. It referred to an obligation under which each party was liable for the entire amount. Not for a portion. Not proportionally. For the whole.
It's a radical concept.
It means that the bond isn't preserved by sharing the burden; you bear it together.
Solidarity begins here. Not as an emotion, but as a form of shared responsibility. Not as a generous gesture, but as a structure that prevents people from fleeing.
To show solidarity means saying: what happens to others concerns me deeply.
A solid: something that occupies space
In geometry, a solid is not a surface: it is something that has volume, weight, and presence. It occupies space and holds its shape. Its opposite is not simply something fragile, but something that disperses, something that cannot maintain its shape when subjected to pressure.
The word “soldier” also traces its roots back to “solidus,” the Roman coin used to pay those who fought. A “soldarius” was, literally, someone who received a coin. It is curious that a word derived from the concrete value of a coin has come to refer to someone who agrees to be part of an organization, someone who takes on a role and a commitment within a larger body.
Solidarity, however, does not stem from wages. It stems from a bond. It is neither a paycheck nor compensation: it is a choice of stance, a force that holds us together.
That is why a community lacking in solidarity is like a surface: it may appear solid, but it doesn’t take much for it to crack. A community built on solidarity, on the other hand, is a solid: its parts are interdependent, support one another, and recognize their shared responsibility.
From Theory to Practice
A TakeMeBack Solidarity Courier does not perform a one-off act.
They give visible expression to an ancient principle: in solidum. They do not merely provide material aid. They convey the message that geographical distance does not negate moral responsibility.
There is no “us” who intervene and “them” who receive. There is a bond that is fully embraced.
Solidarity isn’t top-down. It’s structural. It’s what keeps a school, a community, and a sense of hope from crumbling under the weight of indifference.
Choose to be part of the organization
In an age of fragmentation, showing solidarity means choosing unity. It means accepting that responsibility cannot be divided. You can remain on the surface. Or you can become part of the whole.
Become a TakeMeBack Solidarity Courier, or support a mission with a donation.
Because solidarity isn't just a nice word. It's a shared responsibility. It's what holds the world together.