I think it means whatever the moron who’s using it at the time wants it to mean. :)
Depends on who is saying it.
Let’s put it another way: “Do you want the truth or do you want to feel good?”
I've always interpreted it as having the courage to tell the truth to powerful people who don't want to hear it.
It means; “I am a liar”.
Perhaps it’s the Democrats “Talking Points Phrase that Pays!”
I swear I heard Obama say it once, after he was President. I about fell out of my chair laughing.
I don’t think it necessarily is associated with racial issues. My understanding is that it means standing up and speaking the truth in face of corrupt power. The left has used it a lot in the last several years...substitute ‘REPUBLICAN’ for power! I know Pelosi loves this phrase as did Teresa Heinz Kerry. Correct me if I am wrong on this.
It's a Saul Alinsky's "Rules For Spoiled Brats" thing.
(Not so) Funny thing, they are arguably now the Establishment.
It is usually (though not always) used by extreme left-wing groups during protests against a conservative government. In their eyes, saying Bush was a Nazi or capitalism was evil was speaking “truth” to “power”. I can’t recall hearing any Republicans use the term when dissing Obama or Clinton. I guess it kind of depends on what “truth” is to you. If your “truth” is anarchy or communism, then here’s your sign. (not speaking to “you” personally of course).
Meaningless self-styled "deep thinker" psychobabble...
It means don’t lie to the electric company. ;)
To speak truth to power sounds so much like an integral part of Quakerism that some modem Friends have simply assumed the phrase goes back to the seventeenth century rather than arriving late in the middle of ours. It reflects what many contemporary Friends would like to believe is the characteristic Quaker stance toward political authority, hallowed in practice if not the exact words. Yet in its origins it was a political statement, entitling an explicitly political document. -- Source
It's not that hard to google. It doesn't cost anything either.
Some Global Human Rights Forum and a Book by some Kerry Kennedy
Here is some more info from URBAN DICTIONARY
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=speak%20truth%20to%20power
Apparently Quakers started it but now LEFT uses the phrase to stand up to Conservatives.
Clarence Thomas accuser Anita Hill wrote a book by same name:
http://www.amazon.com/Speaking-Truth-Power-Anita-Hill/dp/0385476272
Here is Greg Gutfeld’s take on Red Eye Mocking Obama for “Speaking Truth to Power”:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,570246,00.html
American Spectator’s take on STP:
http://spectator.org/archives/2009/04/29/speaking-truth-to-power
Need more? Essentially it is a rally monkey of the left.
Wow that’s an old catch phrase, from the 90s even. Basically it means you think the person speaking is doing a good job of getting the message across in a way that will move the masses. Yeah it’s a stupid phrase, generally only used by stupid people.
I always thought it meant the speaker is voicing their desire to help make it come true.
“All your base are belong to us”