Like many symbols throughout history, including the cross, the closed fist can have different meanings to different people. Nelson Mandela used the closed fist when he was released from Victor Verster Prison South African prison in 1990 after having served 27 years. Senator Bernie Sanders has often used the closed fist before crowds he was speaking to.
For many, and for the most part, the clenched fist is a symbol about combatting human rights violations and confronting other inhumane issues around the world. The clenched fist symbol has been used around the world and in countries on every continent from China to protest human rights violation to Africa, Europe, South America and North America for the same reason.
The symbol is not one necessarily advocating for rioting and violence.
However, anyone can take a symbol and use it for nefarious purposes. Even the cross has been abused and misused in history. Lest we conveniently forget, the KKK used the cross to terrorize a segment of the American population.
Brenda Washington