MXGM Self-Defence Manual

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Malcolm X Grassroots Movement March 2013
We cannot be satisfied with half-measures and half victories. Being able to defend ourselves,
having the right to vote in a settler-colonial empire, having access to employment under the
capitalist system, are all necessary for our present survival, but do not amount to liberation.
We must never forget that capitalism and imperialism are and have been more than willing to
make various compromises, just as so long as they didn’t ultimately wind up breaking the
system. The defeat of US apartheid between the 1950’s and 70’s, which eliminated the visible
manifestations of white supremacy while leaving its colonial and economic foundations in tact,
was one such bend but don’t break compromise, as was the so-called “New Deal” of the 1930’s
and 40’s. Ultimately, in order to eliminate police terrorism, state repression, economic exploitation,
national oppression, patriarchy, white supremacy and imperialism we need a revolution – a national
revolution to end our colonial subjugation and a social revolution to transform the economic, social, and
ecological relationships we have with everything around us. Despite its obvious shortcomings in
regards to advancing a revolutionary program to address the limitations of our present state
and conditions, this Handbook was written with the clear understanding that revolution is in
order, and that order for it to happen, we are the ones who are going to have to make it
happen, one step at a time.
Let’s get to work!
Free the Land By Any Means Necessary!
Written by Kali Akuno for the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement. Support
provided by Arlene Eisen, Sacajawea Hall, Doug Norberg, Jamal P. Oliver,
and Linda Tigani
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