Black Power is giving power to people who have not had power to
Black Power is giving power to people who have not had power to determine their destiny.
Hearken, O children of the ages, to the clarion words of Huey Newton, who speaks of the sacred and righteous force of Black Power. He teaches that true power is not the trappings of dominion, nor the fleeting gestures of authority, but the capacity to shape one’s own destiny. Black Power arises when those long denied voice, agency, and recognition are granted the right to determine the course of their own lives, to rise as architects of their fate, and to reclaim the dignity that oppression seeks to deny.
Newton reminds us that power is both responsibility and liberation. It is the means by which communities safeguard their welfare, cultivate self-determination, and ensure that their destiny is not written by outsiders, but by their own hearts and hands. To give power to the disenfranchised is to honor justice, to awaken agency, and to sow the seeds of equality and enduring transformation. In this act, the oppressed become stewards of their own future.
Consider the heroic struggle of Nelson Mandela, who fought against the chains of apartheid in South Africa. For decades, the majority of his people were denied the power to determine their destiny, subjected to laws, oppression, and marginalization. Through struggle, resilience, and vision, Mandela and his compatriots reclaimed authority for their people, embodying Newton’s teaching: to grant power to the powerless is to ignite hope, justice, and the capacity to shape life’s course.
Even in quieter arenas, this principle holds. Communities that nurture leadership, education, and participation grant their members the power to influence decisions that shape their lives. The oppressed, once denied voice, now wield authority through collective action, civic engagement, and the determination to mold their own destiny. Power, when rightly restored, transforms not only circumstance, but the very spirit of the people.
O children of the future, carry this teaching in your hearts: champion the restoration of power to those who have been denied it, honor the right of every people to determine their destiny, and guard against oppression in all its forms. In enabling the powerless to rise, to speak, and to act, you cultivate justice, equity, and a world where agency is the birthright of all.
If you desire, I can also craft a visual, ancient scroll-style presentation of this passage to capture the heroic, timeless, and deeply evocative essence of Newton’s teaching on power, justice, and self-determination.
KNNguyen Thi Kim Ngan
This quote raises important questions about who controls power and what happens when that control is shifted. If Black Power is about giving power back to those who have been excluded, how can society ensure that this power doesn’t just change hands but also fosters true, meaningful autonomy? Does it require changing the hearts and minds of those in power, or is the solution more about reforming systems and institutions?
NQNam Quoc
I’m intrigued by the idea of Black Power as a means of reclaiming control. What does it look like in practice when individuals or communities take ownership of their destiny? How can this be implemented across different sectors—like politics, business, or culture—where power structures have traditionally marginalized people of color? I also wonder how this philosophy can be applied to create long-term sustainable change and not just temporary gains.
HKNguyen Huu Khue
This quote makes me wonder about the practical applications of ‘giving power.’ What does it mean to empower someone or a community? Is it enough to simply provide opportunities, or does real power require dismantling the systems that have kept people from controlling their own futures? I’m curious about the role of education, access to resources, and representation in creating lasting change for disenfranchised groups.
TLNguyen thi Thuy linh
I find this perspective both motivating and challenging. The idea of giving power to those who have been silenced by systemic forces seems central to social justice movements. But how do we overcome the existing power structures that actively resist this shift? Can empowerment truly happen if it doesn't also address the root causes of inequality, like institutional racism, economic disparity, and social exclusion?
TTDo Thi Tuyet
This quote makes me think deeply about the concept of empowerment and the role of self-determination in marginalized communities. How do we define 'power' in this context, and what structures need to be in place to ensure that historically disenfranchised groups truly have control over their destinies? Does this power come from political means, or is it more about economic, educational, and social avenues that provide true independence?