The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has reinstated Teaching Associate Professor Dwayne Dixon following a threat assessment, despite concerns over his ties to a far-left gun club and alleged support for political violence. The decision, which came after pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina, has sparked backlash from critics who accuse Dixon of inciting unrest.
Dixon, a professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, is associated with Redneck Revolt, an offshoot of the John Brown Gun Club, according to the Counter Extremism Project. Fox News Digital reported that he advocated for armed political action at a 2018 panel hosted by Harvard University’s Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights, stating, “I’m here to smash White supremacist capitalism, not defend civil society.”
Andrew Kolvet, a friend of assassinated conservative organizer Charlie Kirk and spokesman for Turning Point USA (TPUSA), condemned the reinstatement, calling it “unbelievable” and demanding Dixon’s immediate dismissal. “This is not about free speech. This is about inciting and fomenting more political violence,” he said.
Dean Stoyer, Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing at UNC, stated the threat assessment found no evidence that Dixon posed a risk to the university community or violated policies. The reinstatement followed a legal threat from the ACLU, which argued that Dixon’s initial suspension violated his First Amendment rights to free speech and association.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over free speech, political extremism, and institutional accountability.
