John Lewis said that black power eventually became empty rhetoric by which he meant what?

John Lewis suggested that "black power" became empty rhetoric because it shifted from a movement aimed at genuine empowerment and social justice to a slogan that lacked concrete action or meaningful change. While it initially represented a call for self-determination and the fight against systemic oppression, over time, it became more about identity politics and less about actionable strategies for achieving civil rights and equality. Lewis emphasized the importance of sustained activism and grassroots organizing to bring about real transformation rather than relying solely on powerful slogans.