Lets see here, what has been going on recently...Millions More March, the Nazi rally in Toledo. Two conflicting rallies...one about "Black power" and one about "White power."
What does Black Power really mean? I think at the heart of it, it is not so much of a movement to gain more power than what is due, but a crusade to protect the minority black population, and liberate them from the (real or imagined) oppression they are feeling. White Power, on the other hand, is usually little more than a slogan accompanied with others used to make white people fear an imaginary horde of black people taking away all their power and leaving them helpless. This fear of an imaginary horde of minorities rampaging through the streets is (at least one of the major factors in) what drives people to join racist organizations like the Nazis or the KKK.
Now for a quick look at the history of the two terms and those who use them. White Power people, throughout history have been those who want to oppress minorities. I don't think I need to go too far with examples, this should be self evident to anyone with the simplest understanding of the civil rights movement. Black Power people, on the other hand, have usually been martyrs or heroes fighting for the liberation of their people (MLK, Malcolm X, Patrice Lumumba) against racist regimes (Whether they be the US government or the Congo under Belgian rule) . Of course, there are exceptions (the first to come to mind is Robert Mugabe, who continues the oppression). Now we are at an interesting point in history, though. Racism isn't really present in the laws of the land, the Jim Crow laws are off the books (at least in North America), and it is frowned upon by most. But, to quote MLK, "the Negro is still not free." The majority of the poor working class are minorities. The question remains, what is next for these movements and organization?
Now, to mention the unmentionable words (or, drop the c-bomb), class warfare. For years, the ruling class has remained almost exclusively white in North America, and the poor working class has consisted of a disproportionately high number of minorities. I think that this is the perfect opportunity for these organizations to broaden their base. Instead of becoming vehicles for the liberation of only black people, become genuine working class liberation movements. Bring in the working class of all colors. Broaden your base. Reach out to your brothers of all colours. And while you're at it, get rid of that anti-semite Farrakhan. You will probably accomplish a lot more by trying to liberate the whole working class, intstead of conceding that you are somehow inferior and need affirmative action programs to compensate for it. Fight racism, fight poverty, fight hatred, for we are all brothers, comrades if you will, no matter the colour.