Blog Entry 2025–Ep12} (Episode #180)
Originally Livestreamed on May 3rd, 2025
(LINK) https://youtu.be/LfYRHsdVivw

ORIGINAL YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION: This will be a live conversation with Brother Willie Mukasa Dada Ricks, the man who whispered in Stokely Carmichael’s ear on June 16, 1966, while he was speaking in Greenwood Mississippi, during the James Meredith March Against Fear, to “say Black Power!” This slogan, launched the Black Power Movement in the U.S. This will be a discussion of the meaning of Black Power then and now.

FIRST THOUGHT OF THE EPISODE IDEA: The saying is universally known ,“We want Black Power” rang through the streets of Black America, frightening white people and mobilizing the country’s reactionary forces for the last 60 years against the perceived threat of Black folks gaining equity in economic and political power. This slogan, still relevant to today; it’s symbol, the raised fist, has been utilized, coopted and corporately branded so many times since its first use that its true meaning is seldom invoked; nonetheless, the slogan “Black Power” was so monumental in shifting Black Consciousness that moderating forces within the Freedom Movement & Struggle found themselves speaking more to its needs than its initial idea. The conversation that is this week’s episode is not a typical one, Dr. T’Shaka might have called it, as he did at its onset, “an interrogation of history” which is what unfolded for the listeners. The man who brought forward the slogan, Brother Ricks, revealed the man behind the infamous saying; allowing those who only knew his involvement to know why he was the one to bring the saying forward. Further, on display was the ravages of the “long sprint” that is the Freedom Movement; as well as the fire that must burn at the center of those who engage in the marathon relay race spanning centuries which our people have been engaged in to free ourselves from the Maafa. This fire, still very bright and hot today, is revealed by Dr. T’Shaka and Brother Ricks, to be the motivating this Elder Revolutionary to continue working for the liberation of his people. Again, this is not a conversation but something greater. Do not be overwhelmed by its presence, soak it in and realize the power one must amass within to do the work required us by the previous and forthcoming generations.

Contextualize this interrogation of history with the two previous Archival Replay episodes where Dr. T’Shaka speaks about Black Power in a broader more topical sense (for the time it was released) and one would understand quickly, the work is never done. The Movement may ebb and flow but it still moves forward continuously; we, as its children tasked with keeping its rhythm, must not stop either. Fore the world may seem like it conspires against us, but in reality it awaits our victory, offering forward those who might seek to stop it from being so, so they can be removed from a reality unaccommodating to their actions.

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