A teenager had been mowed down by a white motorist while protesting, so tensions were high. One man knew our people needed a solid dose of inspiration to fight back. He was from the streets, so he had no problems facing danger head-on. He was an unlikely hero – but the perfect man for the job.
Our people were facing an incredibly dangerous situation in 1960s Arkansas. We were afraid to lose our lives or our jobs to fight for our rights. When things were this serious, it would take a seriously fearless man to step up. So Sweet Willie Wine did just that.
Though others were afraid, Wine demonstrated with his March Against Fear. This was a bold move, given the dangers. He confronted white people and kept marching, even when he was beaten and arrested! The sight of such a streetwise cat out taking beatings for civil rights was a powerful sight.
Many people, previously hesitant to protest, started fighting back with sit-ins and small demonstrations. They also confronted racist local law enforcement, with power in numbers!
By demonstrating the capacity of our people to stand up to the white power structure, Wine laid the groundwork for the ongoing struggles that followed. We must remember that there will ALWAYS be forces that work against our fight for liberation from white supremacy. Inspiring each other keeps us motivated!