The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has placed Dr. Dwayne Dixon, an Asian and Middle Eastern Studies professor, on administrative leave following reports of his affiliation with the far-left gun group Redneck Revolt. The decision comes amid questions over whether his membership constitutes advocacy of extremist or politically motivated violence.
UNC issued a statement saying Dixon’s leave allows the school to investigate the allegations “in a manner that protects the integrity of its assessment.” Depending on the findings, he could face disciplinary action up to termination, in line with university tenure and policy rules. The university reaffirmed its commitment to free speech, while drawing a line against incitement or support for violence.
Dixon is listed as a self-professed member of Redneck Revolt’s Silver Valley chapter. Redneck Revolt describes itself as a left-wing community defense group, sometimes engaging in armed training under its John Brown Gun Club network.
Past incidents also feed scrutiny. In 2017, Dixon allegedly appeared armed at a protest in Durham and gave interviews claiming interaction with a vehicle linked to the 2017 Charlottesville rally. The state later dropped charges relating to public weapons and assembly. He also faced charges tied to unrest over the removal of Silent Sam on UNC’s campus in 2018, which were later dismissed.
Critics have called for Dixon’s termination, citing links between Redneck Revolt and militant left-wing activism, including past attacks on ICE facilities. Advocates for academic freedom counter that political associations, however controversial, do not automatically warrant dismissal without due process.
This case underscores tensions between protecting free inquiry and holding professors accountable when ideological affiliations overlap with organizations perceived as militant. The outcome may set a precedent for how universities handle faculty members whose activism pushes political boundaries.
