Howard University professor calls on ‘white allies’ to emulate abolitionist John Brown

Professor Calls on White Allies to Emulate John Brown

A professor at Howard University recently expressed the idea that white allies should aspire to the actions of the renowned Civil War-era abolitionist, John Brown. In a post on Substack, Dr. Stacey Patton suggested that instead of questioning how to be a better ally, white liberals should take inspiration from Brown’s radical approach.

“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 stated.

Brown, known for his militant abolitionist stance, played a significant role in the Pottawatomie Massacre in 1856, during which he executed five settlers in Kansas. He also infamously led a raid on a federal armory in Virginia in 1859, resulting in the deaths of four local civilians. Eventually, he was captured, tried for treason, and executed.

Patton emphasized that Brown was a white man aware of the moral urgency surrounding slavery, seeing it as an immediate crisis rather than a political concern. “He didn’t need a syllabus or affirmation from black people to validate his stance. He prioritized ending the oppressive system rather than seeking approval,” she wrote.

She recounted that Brown did not engage in performative actions like posting black squares on social media; rather, he recognized the violent foundations of an empire and acted decisively. “Brown was not someone who fit a conventional mold. He was, in a sense, a radical figure,” she commented.

In another part of her discussion, Patton criticized white allies for expecting guidance from black individuals. She pointed out how unreasonable it is to expect those still overcoming the trauma of systemic oppression to provide solutions. “It’s bizarre to ask those navigating the aftermath to show the way out of the chaos,” she remarked.

She elaborated, saying, “Every day we exist within the framework of white supremacy, dealing with traps set long ago in our laws and culture. While we try to avoid the fallout, you stand there looking for directions through a maze you’ve created.”