For generations, Black communities in America have faced a double threat: open hostility from white supremacists and neglect or violence from law enforcement. When police failed to protect—or even targeted—Black citizens, entire neighborhoods were left vulnerable. This systemic injustice forced many to take their safety into their own hands. Grassroots self-defense groups began to emerge, not out of aggression, but out of necessity. These organizations became a shield against unchecked violence, laying the groundwork for collective resistance and community empowerment. Their rise was a direct answer to the void left by authorities who would not protect them.
