Knowledge is Power
Sharing Knowledge Builds Community Resistance
Below is a list of Leftist/Anarchist bookstores in addition to two bookstore links which provide a total of 16 e-books for free on social movements, oppression resistance and Leftism.
When I am anxious about the state of the world, I begin to gather information and knowledge on the topics that I am feeling fear around. I turn to those who are skilled in their understanding of history and politics and ask them to share what they know with me. I turn to the writings and speeches of movement leaders to absorb fractions of the wisdom they shared with other humans experiencing marginalization, violence and hopelessness. I gather information about times where the things I am scared of today, have happened in the past. I try to learn from the cycles and patterns present throughout history to try and determine what is most likely to occur next. I then, share this information with the people I work with, friends and family who are open to hearing and absorbing it. This is a single way in which feelings of community and connectedness can be built and how we may have positive individual impact in a world that makes us feel isolated and disconnected.
Hate, confusion and destitution thrive where there is a lack of knowledge and accurate information. So often in todays world, the information we receive is based on immediate gratification and algorithms. We begin to think we understand large social issues as single re-postable statements and surface level critiques that forget to take into consideration, the context that exists historically. We finger point and blame others on the Left for not doing things the “right” way. We convert complex issues into black and white concepts which work against our goals and alienate people who may in fact, be helpful to our cause. I find it interesting, as well as, telling that in movements such as the Black Power Movement and the Cuban Revolution, teaching people how to read and providing access to education, was a part of the community building that took place. Providing education in order to build resistance within the marginalized communities and volunteers helped to strengthen the movements and increase fighting power against the oppressors.
I have compiled a list of leftist/anarchist bookstores. In addition, AK Press and Haymarket Books have made several e-books on liberation, social movements and leftism FREE. I have posted the links below.
If you do not know where to begin, I recommend beginning to learn about social movements throughout history - The Black Power Movement, The Cuban Revolution, The French Revolution, The Civil Rights Movement and the Labour Movement are all great places to start.
The 1960s were highly whitewashed. The fighting that occurred for human rights and the social movements led by marginalized people were not full of “peace and love”. Many people died. Many people fought with their lives and fought for decades. What is ahead of us, will not be easy and will not be full of “flower power”. Learning from great social movement leaders such as Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara are some of the people who dedicated their lives to social movements and resistance against dictatorship and oppression of human rights and who have great wisdom on these topics.
One of the most powerful tools we have, is knowledge.
Leftist/ Anarchist Bookstores
AK Press (California, USA)
Pathfinder Press
Verso Books (New York, USA)
Pluto Books (London)
Octopus Books (Ottawa)
Lumpen Publications
marxist.ca (Canada)
Haymarket Books (Chicago, USA)
Regina Radical Book Distro (Canada)
A Radical Guide: Find Leftist bookstores near you
Mayday Books (Minneapolis)
marxist.ca (Montreal)
marxist.ca (Berkeley, USA)
Leftwing Books (Montreal)
Microcosm Books (Portland, USA)
Free E-Books
AK Press 6 free e-books
Haymarket Books 10 free e-books
