Radio Free Dixie...WTFO?

As they say, history is written by the victors and, in this country, the most vocal 'victors' of the civil rights struggle would have us believe that Gandhian nonviolence was the solution that forced the majority in this country to recognize the rights of the minority.

The reality is that armed men and women who refused to submit to unjust actions and who, vocally and verbosely, made it known that they would meet racist violence with violence in defense of themselves, their families and their communities were the prime reason that nonviolent action occured in the deep south at all.

In Louisiana and Mississippi, without the Deacons for Defense and Justice, nonviolence was a pipedream. Robert Williams was the first black leader during the 1950s and 60s to stand up and embrace the reality of armed self defense as a legitimate course of action. Given his very unpopular position and his growing influence he was , eventually, forced to flee the country. There were charges of kidnapping raised and a nationwide manhunt ensued. Williams and his family fled to Canada and then to Cuba.

While living in Cuba, Williams presented a Friday night radio broadcast that reached all over the United States. That broadcast was Radio Free Dixie. It consisted of political commentary, controversial music that would not receive airplay in the US [such as the inimitable Nina Simone singing Mississippi Goddam] and discussions of current events around the world.

Williams was unwilling to modify his stance or keep his mouth shut even when it was in his best interest. His criticism of the Soviet Unions increasing influence in post-revolutionary Cuba became such an issue that even his close personal relationship with Castro didn't offer enough protection and he eventually left Cuba for Vietnam and from there to China.

Negroes With Guns The book written by Williams in 1962.

Negroes With Guns: Rob Williams & Black Power A documentary released in 2004.

Radio Free Dixie: Robert F. Williams & the Roots of Black Power A biography written by Timothy B. Tyson and published in 1999.

So there you have it, my inclusion of the Radio Free Dixie reference in my sigline is simply a small attempt to encourage people to ask about, and learn a bit about, a part of our collective history that is very likely to disappear from the 'common knowledge' because it conflicts with the predominant illusion.Thanks for your time!