The first time I watched this movie, there was a lot I felt was left unclear. Perhaps another watch will clear some of your questions up. Here's my two cents:
Priest really didn't need to say anything else at the end. He did indeed have a hit out on the cop. If you remember, Scatter comes to visit Priest at his girlfriend's house. He informs Priest that the man he gets coke from doesn't need him anymore because he knows too much. Scatter then gives Priest an envelope full of information on the man he buys coke from (his real name, his family members, etc.), which is what Priest gives to the two men at a cafe (he also hands them an envelope full of what he later declares is $100k). If Priest were to die right then and there, the men he hired for the hit would quickly retaliate on his family. Priest had the upper hand on the man. Or, as Curtis Mayfield would have it, the man can't put no thing on me.
The girlfriend that he loves was disguised wearing a headdress, and switched briefcases with Priest after he knew that Eddie had sold him out. As he's being arrested you can see her walk by with a smile on her face, and Priest grins a little as well.
In essence, it's left up to our imaginations as to what happens to Priest afterwards. It would have been a dull movie had it ended explaining everything in detail and showing a lame montage of Priest's happy new life.
I remember reading in the Super Fly soundtrack booklet (the CD reissue) that Curtis Mayfield was actually disappointed on how the soundtrack fit in the film. He wanted it to end on a positive note (like the album does) which would draw the viewer away from thinking his music was simply about how being a cocaine dealer was "cool." So you are absolutely right on your assumption.
It is interesting to see New York in the state it was in the 70's. The only movie that shows New York in this manner better would be Taxi Driver.
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