THREAD: okay so this has been bothering me for some time. if you are not black, please don't change your profile picture to the black power fist. the black power fist is a symbol within the black community popularized by the black panther party and the civil rights movement.

it is representative of our oppression and our fight. it symbolizes our plight for freedom and for justice. where our voices were taken away from us, the black power fist was a silent gesture that means we are still here. we are defiant and we will not back down.

to see my white and other nonblack peers use our symbol feels wrong. to see white people raise a closed fist and #BlackLivesMatter protests throws me off. white and other nonblack people have not been oppressed the way we have, so using OUR symbol of OUR oppression, even if

well-intentioned, is disrespectful and minimizing. there are other ways to be an ally than using the black power fist. please, if you see other nonblack people using the black power fist explain to them it's origin and what it means to the black community. share this thread with

them. the black community appreciates the support from our nonblack friends and peers. but do not use or enact our symbols. stand behind us as we use our symbols, do not use them yourself. thank you.

the way y'all put up so much fight when us black people say something is offensive and appropriating.. i am so tired. no black people do not own everyone's fists. we popularized and created the raised black fist in our movements and politics.