Inequality hits hard—we all feel the pinch of status gaps

In Berlin’s Kotti project, rents had soared so high that long-time residents felt powerless—jobless turks, gays and punks squeezed out. Neighbors who never spoke found themselves uniting over one demand: stop ripping us off. By blocking a main street with simple barricades, they drew the press and forced politicians to engage. What made the difference was shifting from isolation to collective action. Each person’s standing didn’t matter; they all sat at the same level, under one umbrella. They wrote their names on a shared roster, spent night-shifts talking past old prejudices, and rebuilt trust. When the bailiffs came, they faced a united front, not a scattered mob. Research shows that in highly unequal societies we all suffer more anxiety and depression—whether our rent’s rising or not. Bridging status gaps by working together on fair rules, rotating leadership, and mutual support rebalances our sense of worth, lowers stress and restores hope.

Gather a small group of neighbors or colleagues for an equal-status ritual—perhaps a weekly potluck or shared chore. Rotate roles so no one feels left out. Speak up once to suggest a fairness rule—like equal airtime at meetings. You’ll build a mini-community where status divides shrink and anxiety eases. Start tomorrow.