The fight against oppression and white supremacy is not about dwelling on the enemy—it is about empowering ourselves. Too often, we exhaust our energy reacting to every provocation, every injustice, and every setback. But the key to true liberation lies not in defeating the enemy but in building an unshakable foundation of self-mastery, focus, and collective progress.
This LanceScurv presentation expands on a powerful conversation that highlights how distractions keep Black people from achieving their full potential. By understanding the enemy’s tactics and shifting from reactive to proactive strategies, we can reclaim our power and work toward true freedom.
The Power of Focus: Stop Watching Your Enemy Fall
One of the greatest misconceptions in our struggle is the belief that we must engage with our enemy at every turn. The truth is, once we strike our blow, we must move on. Whether they suffer, struggle, or retaliate is irrelevant. A true warrior does not waste time watching the enemy fall—they keep moving toward their ultimate goal.
Every time we allow ourselves to be emotionally entangled with the actions or words of our oppressors, we slow ourselves down. Energy that could be used to build, strategize, and create is instead wasted on reactions. Our strength lies in forward motion, not in lingering over the destruction of what oppresses us.
Black People: The Most Easily Distracted Group on Earth
Black people are deeply connected to the vibrations of the earth. We feel every shift, every injustice, and every ripple in the world around us. This sensitivity is both a gift and a curse. It makes us empathetic, passionate, and resilient, but when left unchecked, it makes us highly distractible.
Throughout history, our greatest movements have been triggered by emotion—Emmett Till, Rodney King, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Martin Luther King Jr. While these events deserved outrage, our responses have often been short-lived, reactionary, and ultimately ineffective in bringing lasting change. The system knows this, which is why they continue to provoke us.
The real fight is not in reacting—it is in mastering ourselves. We must channel our energy into long-term strategies that empower us rather than burn us out.
The Rope-A-Dope Strategy: How White Supremacy Keeps Us Exhausted
Muhammad Ali perfected a technique called the Rope-A-Dope. He let his opponents swing wildly, dodging their blows and allowing them to tire themselves out before delivering the knockout punch. White supremacy plays the same game against Black people.
We march, we protest, we demand change—while the system absorbs the blows, bounces on the ropes, and laughs. They know they can’t defeat us in a fair fight, so they don’t engage head-on. Instead, they wear us down through emotional manipulation, political deception, and internal division.
This is why we often find ourselves further behind than we were during segregation—back when we at least owned businesses and supported each other economically. The illusion of progress keeps us swinging while the enemy waits for us to collapse from exhaustion.
Becoming the Master Assassin: Know Your Target, Know Your Purpose
A skilled assassin is defined by their precision. They don’t fire wildly. They don’t waste energy. They don’t seek personal satisfaction in watching their target suffer—they simply eliminate obstacles and move forward.
In our fight, our goal is not simply to take down an enemy but to achieve freedom, empowerment, and self-sufficiency. The real target is clarity of purpose, economic independence, and community strength.
Distractions come in many forms—petty conflicts, emotional responses, performative activism, and ego-driven battles. But a master assassin does not waste time on distractions. They remain focused on the mission.
Winning the War by Mastering Self
True success in this fight begins with mastering the self. Before we can guide others, we must be in full control of our own emotions, reactions, and mindset.
- A teacher cannot teach what they have not mastered.
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A leader cannot lead if they are easily provoked.
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A warrior cannot fight effectively if they are distracted.
The moment we stop stepping into traps laid by our oppressors, we win. When we learn to move around obstacles without giving them our energy, we win. When we stop seeking validation, revenge, or engagement with those who aim to derail us, we win.
Conclusion: The Highest Level of Freedom
The highest level of power is not in crushing an enemy—it is in becoming untouchable. The goal is to move through life with purpose, unbothered by distractions, and fully engaged in building something greater than ourselves.
Imagine walking down the street and stepping around an obstacle without a second thought. That is how we must treat the forces that seek to derail us. We don’t need to engage with every slight, every insult, or every attack. Our focus must remain on the path ahead.
White supremacy thrives on distraction. Our power comes from self-mastery, strategy, and an unshakable commitment to our own liberation. It’s time to stop playing their game and start mastering our own.
