The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is back in the spotlight after reinstating a professor who has ties to a far-left, armed activist group. Professor Dwayne Dixon was put on leave earlier this week after concerns were raised about his involvement with Redneck Revolt, a group known for extreme anti-government and anti-capitalist views. Now, after a quick investigation, the university says he doesn’t pose a threat and is letting him return to work.
As a veteran, I’ve seen firsthand how dangerous it can be when politics and violence mix. This isn’t about left or right—it’s about keeping our communities safe and holding people accountable when they associate with groups that promote chaos over civil order.
Let’s break down what we know. Professor Dixon is connected to Redneck Revolt, a group that claims to fight fascism but does it by promoting armed resistance. They don’t just talk about defending themselves—they talk about taking action against what they see as enemies of their cause. That includes law enforcement, the justice system, and even the idea of the United States as a nation-state.
This group is an offshoot of the John Brown Gun Club, which made headlines recently when some of its supporters celebrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Think about that. A group that claims to be against violence celebrating the murder of someone just because he had different views. That’s not just wrong—it’s dangerous.
Back in 2017, Dixon showed up armed at the Charlottesville rally and later spoke proudly about his group’s presence there. In his own words, he said he wasn’t fighting for civil rights—he was out to “smash white supremacist capitalism.” That’s not the language of someone committed to peace or civil discussion.
What’s more concerning is that the university still chose to bring him back. They said they did a “thorough threat assessment” and found no reason to believe he was dangerous. But how deep could that assessment really be when the facts are already out there? The man has been charged before—for assault during a protest that turned violent. He’s openly talked about armed political action. And he’s part of a group that’s been sued for violating anti-paramilitary laws.
On campuses today, we’re seeing a shift. Free speech is important, but it’s being twisted to protect people who promote violence. Meanwhile, students who speak up for conservative values are often shouted down or worse. When someone like Dixon is defended and reinstated, it sends a message that certain kinds of political violence are acceptable—as long as they come from the left.
This isn’t just about UNC. Across the country, political violence is becoming more common. We saw it when Charlie Kirk was assassinated. We saw it when a gunman with left-wing views attacked a federal building in Dallas. And we saw it back in 2018 when Dixon was on the scene the night a Confederate statue was ripped down by a mob.
Here’s the bottom line: If a professor was tied to a right-wing militia and had a history of showing up armed to protests, he’d be fired in a heartbeat. No investigation. No reinstatement. But because Dixon fits a certain political mold, he’s being protected.
Our universities should be places where ideas can be debated, not where political radicals are given a platform to push their agendas with guns in hand. As a veteran, I fought to defend the Constitution, including the First Amendment. But that doesn’t mean we turn a blind eye when people twist that freedom into a justification for violence.
UNC made a mistake bringing Dixon back. And if they’re not careful, it won’t be the last one. This is a time for strong leadership, not appeasement. Our kids deserve better. Our country deserves better. And those of us who wore the uniform know exactly where this road leads if we don’t stand up and say enough is enough.
