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About this quote

What does it mean?
Owens argues symbols like the black fist are empty without economic power.
In plain terms
Symbols mean nothing without money behind them.
What can you take from it?
Power comes from resources, not symbols.

Where it applies

  • social movements
  • protests
  • advocacy

Putting it to work

  • seek economic leverage
  • look beyond gestures

Questions to consider

  • What gives a symbol power?
  • Is money needed for change?

Another view

It reduces activism to transactional terms.

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