Can anyone help me with my homework?

I am in African American Literature and we have to read Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. I am trying to interpret the grandfather's last dying words.The Grandfather's last dying words were:"Son, after I'm gone I want you to keep up the good fight. I never told you, but our life is a war and I have been a traitor all my born days, a spy in the enemy's country ever since I give up my gun back in the Reconstruction. Live with your head in the lion's mouth. I want you to overcome 'em with yeses, undermine 'em with grins, agree 'em to death and destruction, let 'em swoller you till they vomit or bust wide open." Does anyone know what this means or can anyone tell me what they think it means. Best answer gets ten points and thanks for all the help.