It won't make any difference. And after all, I don't read
anyway.'"
Williams claimed that a racist social system existed because the
violence at the heart of that system went unchallenged. Violence was
an integral part of the racial system, and it had not been introduced
into the system by Afro-Americans.
"It is precisely this unchallenged violence that allows a racist
social system to perpetuate itself. When people say that they are
opposed to Negroes 'resorting to violence' what they really mean is
that they are opposed to Negroes defending themselves and challenging
the exclusive monopoly of violence practiced by white racists. We have
shown in Monroe that with violence working both ways constituted law
will be more inclined to keep the peace."
Williams urged Monroe Negroes to carry guns and other weapons and to
defend themselves when attacked. He defended his position by invoking
the teachings of Henry Thoreau who had also been used as an authority
by the pacifists. Although Thoreau usually supported pacifism,
according to Williams, Thoreau also believed that there were occasions
which justified violence.
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