A reinstated UNC professor who was put on leave for suspicions of advocating for political violence spoke to the community for the first time Wednesday.
Dr. Dwayne Dixon, an outspoken professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, was placed on administrative leave last week following reports of concern about his alleged advocacy for politically motivated violence.
The university’s student paper, The Daily Tar Heel, reported that Dixon was allegedly affiliated with an organization called “Redneck Revolt,” which describes itself as a “pro-worker, anti-racist organization that focuses on working class liberation from the oppressive systems which dominate our lives.”
Last Friday, the university said it “found no basis to conclude that he poses a threat to university students, staff and faculty, or has engaged in conduct that violates university policy.”
To a small group of students, faculty and supporters on Wednesday, Dixon said he is overjoyed to be back in the classroom. He also emphasized the importance of free speech not only for him, but for the people he disagrees with.
“I can only conclude that it was the content of my speech and political beliefs that caused the chancellor to act with such ill-considered haste,” Dixon said to the crowd Wednesday.
“I am here today to defend our right, our collective right, to free speech — even speech and ideas that I disagree with — so as to fulfill our responsibility to our students and to one another in the strengthening of our ethics and commitment to a free society.”
Dixon remarked on how this whole situation should act as a learning experience for his students.
“What I think is really crucial here is for us to analyze and withhold judgement,” Dixon said. “Of course I have a critique of Chancellor [Lee] Roberts’ decisions, but what I would really urge all of us to do is to reflect on the choices we’ve made. How can we improve? Let’s analyze, let’s work together as a community to move forward into a space to regain, rebuild trust, to speak and operate freely without fear of reprisal or censorship.”
Representatives with the local chapters of the ACLU and AAUP (American Association of University Professors) argued last week and Wednesday that the university’s decision to place Dixon on leave was a violation of his first amendment rights.
He returned to his classes Wednesday afternoon.