MXGM Self-Defence Manual

;
Malcolm X Grassroots Movement March 2013
General Principles and Protocols
None of the structures outlined in this work or the strategies and methods of struggle
mentioned above will work without the establishment of clear operating principles and
protocols. Principles and protocols are essential tools for building structure and accountability
in our work.
To address our internal organizing needs principles and protocols should establish codes of
conduct, how to raise constructive criticism, how to provide honest and reflective self-criticism,
how to surface subjective issues like differing beliefs and opinions, and objective issues such as
material limitations. They should also outline what dispute or conflict resolution mechanisms
will be employed and how accountability processes and procedures will be structured and
managed.
Our principles and protocols should also address how we aim to engage with the external
world, particularly the US government and its agencies like the police. These principles and
protocols should be designed to ensure our safety by providing concrete means on how to
avoiding unnecessary conflict with the police and other law enforcement agencies, and how to
respond appropriately in a collective manner when conflict does arise. Some of the things that
should be addressed are how to respond to police aggressive and provocation, how to address
police violence, how to deal with arrests, and how to maintain collective solidarity and mutual
support in the face of government repression and imprisonment.
Each community should democratically determine its own principles and protocols. However,
it is not always necessary to recreate the wheel in this field. There are numerous examples of
general principles (which are called Operating Norms or Community Agreements by some)
and protocols that organizers and communities can reference and borrow from to incorporate
into their work.
For example, here are few of the general Operating Principles and Protocols employed by the
Malcolm X Grassroots Movement.
1. Establish clear responsibilities, roles, and divisions of labor. Create space for everyone to
participate in meaningful ways.
2. Establish clear lines of communication, be clear about what is public information and what is
strictly internal and on a need to know basis.
3. Do your homework and be prepared on all occasions – know your enemy, know yourself, know
your surroundings, and your socio-historic context.
4. Respect the rules and structures of the organization. Channel disagreements and disputes to the
delegated individuals and structures designed to handle disagreements and disputes.
5. Honor everyone’s time and commitment. Start engagements on time and end them on time.
6. Respect everyone’s right to speak. Equal speaking time for everyone.
7. Challenge people’s actions, ideas, and statements, not their character.
8. Challenge sexist and homophobic actions, statements, and assumptions.
9. Challenge liberalism – meaning don’t go along to get along in the face of inappropriate or
unprincipled behavior.
10. Assume responsibility for your statements and actions.
11. Honor Agreements.
12. Complete Tasks.
37