[Leaflet] “You Can’t Have Capitalism Without Racism”

Leaflet for demonstrations against police brutality and racism can be downloaded here.

These simple words by the great revolutionary martyr Malcolm X sum up a profound truth about the world we live in. Capitalism is a system based on inequality, exploitation, oppression, and discrimination. The working class makes up the vast majority — it is we who create the wealth of society through our labor. But it is the small handful of capitalists who keep most of that wealth and enjoy all the benefits. How is it possible for a tiny minority to dominate the majority?

To maintain their wealth and power in a society divided into classes, the capitalists need the state: heavily-armed, anti-worker, and racist police, courts, and laws. In addition, they use tactics that aim to “divide and rule” the working class along racial, religious, gender, and ethnic lines. This way they can keep us fighting with each other over the scraps from their table instead of focusing on the real enemy: capitalism.

Temporary or cosmetic measures will not eliminate the root causes of inequality, poverty, and criminalization. What is needed is a massive program of public works to provide quality housing, health care, education, nutrition, and well-paid union jobs that can ensure a high standard of living for everyone. None of this is possible on the scale required on the basis of the profit-driven system of capitalism. We say the rich must pay for the crisis of their system! Only by bringing the Fortune 500 under public ownership and democratic workers’ control can we lay the basis for a world of plenty for all.

We must also understand that neither the Democrats or Republicans represent the interests of the workers and youth. Both of these parties are bought-and-paid-for by big business. Instead, we need a mass party of labor based on the unions, fighting for a socialist program to fundamentally transform society.

The murder of Freddie Gray is just the latest in a long and tragic history of police brutality and racism. The staying power of the #BlackLivesMatter movement shows that a majority of Americans instinctively want to unite and fight back against injustice and oppression. The labor movement must use its enormous resources, numbers, and power to organize, build, and broaden this struggle. Only through mass working class action and unity can we fight and win.

Only when there are no classes, will there be no need for police, and without police, police brutality will be a thing of the past. This is why the Marxists argue that to end racism and all the evils that come with it, we must end capitalism!

Join the International Marxist Tendency to learn more about Marxism, socialism, revolution, internationalism, and the struggle to end capitalism once and for all. Contact us for more information!


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