Professor urges White supporters to follow the example of John Brown, a killer.

Howard University Professor Advocates for Radical Allyship

A professor at Howard University has stirred conversation by advocating for white allies within left-wing movements to take more radical actions. Stacey Patton, a journalism professor, recently published a blog post with a provocative title: “John Brown Didn’t Ask Enslaved People How to Be a Good White Ally.” In it, she urges white liberals to stop seeking guidance on being “better allies” and instead look to historical figures like John Brown for inspiration.

Brown, known as a radical abolitionist, was active during the tumultuous “Bleeding Kansas” period just before the Civil War. He was responsible for the Potawatomi Massacre in 1856, where he and fellow abolitionists executed settlers believed to support slavery.

In October 1859, Brown led a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, intending to ignite a slave revolt. However, the response from local militia thwarted his efforts, resulting in several casualties, including victims caught in the crossfire. Eventually, after losing ten of his men, Brown was captured, tried for treason, and hanged.

Patton made a bold statement in her piece: “When our white allies ask, ‘What can I do?’ the answer is: Be like John Brown. Ask yourself, what can I burn so others can breathe?” She emphasizes that Brown didn’t seek permission or validation from enslaved people; he simply acted based on his moral convictions, prioritizing the fight against racism over the need for approval.

She candidly expressed frustration over the challenges of seeking alliances with well-meaning white individuals, describing it as “tiring as hell.” Patton pointed out the contradictions of their attempts to align with marginalized communities, noting that such efforts often inadvertently shift burdens onto those already suffering.

In a striking metaphor, she metaphorically tells allies to stop being passive observers: “Go get the hose. Stop pretending you can’t see the flames.” The underlying message is clear: genuine allyship requires decisive action.

To temper her radical message, Patton added that allies don’t need to risk their lives in the same way Brown did, but she insisted that they should be aware of the stakes involved in the struggle against injustice.

Brown’s legacy has resurfaced in contemporary debates regarding left-wing extremism. Recently, an individual connected to a far-left group, the John Brown Gun Club, faced serious legal charges for violent actions against federal officers.

Howard University responded to the controversy, stating their condemnation of violence in all its forms, while emphasizing that the viewpoints expressed by individual faculty members do not necessarily align with the institution’s official stance.