This rallying cry, popularized during the Civil Rights Movement and particularly by the Black Panther Party, embodies the spirit of grassroots empowerment and democratic participation. The phrase advocates for direct community control over social institutions and resources that affect people's lives. Newton used this slogan to emphasize the importance of collective action and community self-determination. The quote continues to resonate in modern social justice movements, representing the ongoing struggle for democratic participation and community empowerment in political decision-making.