1. Hill, Lance Edward. “The Deacons for ... - Freedom Archives

extend nonviolence to all aspects of the black freedom movement, particularly in the
center of a Klan stronghold . That would be suicide . They were outnumbered two-to-one
and the police offered no protection .
Underlying the conflict over nonviolence was a deeper issue ofautonomy . Who
would determine the local organizing strategy for the black movement? National
organizations, with their imported strategy, dominated by a coalition of middle class
blacks, organized labor, and white pacifists and liberals? Or the local community with
their own strategy determined by local experience?
CORE initially won the philosophical argument, overcoming locals with their
superior debating skills and the force ofa coherent world view and strategy . Thomas and
other grassroots leaders were less articulate and lacked the clear world view of their
middle class saviors . But slowly "Chilly Willy" and his working class colleagues began
to find words for their thoughts and gain confidence in their own judgement and
opinions .
Thomas' quest for autonomy was not self-conscious and deliberate . But
instinctively he and the defense group began to assert their authority over local matters .
They wanted the right to defend their community with force ifnecessary . CORE balked
at these terms and suggested a compromise in which the guards would conceal their
weapons during the day. The debate found its way into many late-night discussions
around the kitchen table in the Freedom House. Cathy Patterson recalls the activists
admonishing Thomas : "Chilly, ifyou guys are going to be out there with guns, you have
to hide them ." And Thomas would ask why . "Because you're going to invoke violence,"
replied the activists . "Ifyou have a gun, you have to be prepared to use it . And we don't
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