Power is a concept that shapes every aspect of our world—how we move, how we see ourselves, and how we dream. For Black, Brown, Latino, Middle Eastern, and African communities, the history of power is deeply intertwined with stories of struggle, resistance, and resilience. This issue of Black Copper delves into the layered realities of power: how it has been wielded against marginalized communities, how it has been reclaimed, and how it is being redefined in the present and for the future. Through this theme, The Unspoken Truth: Reimagining Power, Past and Future, we invite readers to engage in a profound exploration of what power means when viewed through the lens of lived experience and cultural reclamation.

History has left its indelible mark on communities that have been forced to navigate systemic oppression and colonial domination. Movements such as the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, anti-colonial resistance across Africa and the Caribbean, and the Black Power Movement were not merely fights for equality but declarations of humanity, dignity, and autonomy. They exposed the structural inequities embedded within global systems and provided blueprints for resistance that resonate even today. Yet, much of this history remains diluted or erased in mainstream narratives, reduced to singular moments rather than sustained struggles. In this issue, we seek to unearth these histories, amplifying voices, and truths that too often go unheard.

Today, power manifests in new and complex ways. Activism has expanded its platforms to social media, where movements like #BlackLivesMatter, #EndSARS, and Indigenous land rights campaigns have connected millions across continents. Cultural expression has become a tool of resistance, with artists, writers, and creators reclaiming narratives and crafting visions of self-determination. Within personal identities, power is found in embracing heritage, resisting erasure, and building solidarity across diasporas. These contemporary dynamics reveal how power is being reshaped—not just as a response to oppression but as an assertion of presence, creativity, and unyielding hope.

Yet even as we celebrate progress, there remains an unspoken truth: the work is far from over. The echoes of colonialism, systemic racism, and exploitation persist in forms both overt and insidious. These forces continue to shape economic inequalities, social injustices, and environmental harm disproportionately impacting marginalized communities. In exploring these truths, we aim to shed light on what mainstream discourse often ignores—the nuanced intersections of past and present struggles and their implications for future justice.

This issue also dares to dream. Reimagining power means envisioning futures where equity is not a demand but a given, where justice is not a fight but a foundation. It means honoring the resilience and creativity of communities that have always innovated in the face of adversity. From Afrofuturist visions to indigenous practices of sustainability, the future holds endless possibilities for rethinking systems, healing histories, and building collective power.

The Unspoken Truth: Reimagining Power, Past, and Future is not just an exploration—it is an invitation. It calls us to reflect on how history informs our present, how we can redefine the meanings of power, and how we might collectively create a world rooted in justice, equity, and liberation. Through the art, stories, and ideas within these pages, we hope to illuminate paths toward a future that is as bold, diverse, and resilient as the communities we celebrate.