In memory of our good friend Stetson Kennedy.

William Stetson Kennedy, whose radical opposition to Jim Crow racial segregation made him a pariah in his hometown early in life and an honored elder statesman late in life, died in St. Augustine, Florida, August 27^th. He was 94.

One of the pioneer folklore collectors during the first half of the twentieth century, he is remembered for having infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1940s, exposing its secrets to authorities and the world. His actions led to the state of Georgia’s 1947 revocation of the Klan's national corporate charter.

Kennedy began his crusades against what he called "homegrown racial terrorists" during World War II when a back injury made him ineligible for duty.

"All my friends were in service and being shot at in a big way. They were fighting racism whether they knew it or not," Kennedy said. "At least I could see if I could do something about the racist terrorists in our backyard."

In the 60’s, Kennedy became active in the local civil rights movement in Jacksonville, joining demonstrators who were attempting to desegregate downtown lunch counters. Alton Yates, leader of the NAACP Youth Council which organized the sit-ins, said Kennedy actually warned police that Klan members were planning to attack demonstrators: “Stetson was one of the greatest contributors to the anti-poverty and civil rights movements in the country. He was just a unique individual."

The author of countless articles, eight books and co-author of a ninth, he was writing books and speeches into his 90s. Neither age nor the Klan could slow him down.

"He was a giant," said Peggy Bulger, friend, protégé, and director of American Folklife for the Library of Congress. "He never quit working. Last time I talked to him he was still full of p--- and vinegar."

"I don't like to think I've mellowed," said Kennedy, at 85. "Mellowing is for wine, and my last words will be my most militant," he said with a chuckle.

The day he checked into the hospital, Kennedy told the physician, "that every person has a cause and his was finished." Sandra Parks, his wife wrote, "Few people see their life's purpose so dramatically fulfilled.”

Now, his legacy will live on in Spark’s new feature length documentary: Klandestine Man.

“it's one world, one morality, what afflicts one afflicts all…, --Stetson wrote in an email to Director Andrea Kalin. Inspired to share his “radical” ideals of justice and equality he relayed his last directive in a clear and firm voice one day before he made his last trip to the hospital.

“On with the show!”. He commanded.

A busy week for Stetson Kennedy!

It has been an exciting week for the legendary Stetson Kennedy, the subject of Spark Media's upcoming documentary Stetson Kennedy Unmasked.

This last weekend, the 94-year old warrior celebrated his birthday by attended the One Nation Working Together Rally in Washington DC. He joined a special youth rally sponsored by NAACP and One Nation youth organizations in the morning and then made his way to the Lincoln Memorial where he enthusiastically worked his way to the front of the crowd to see the prestigious lineup of speakers.

"It's been more than three quarters of a century since President Roosevelt succeeded in bringing together organized labor, the NAACP, and other civil rights groups to attack the first meltdown, " Stetson told the crew, "I was there in 1932, and I'm here now."

Once he returned to Florida, Stetson has wasted no time - tonight he is speaking at a special screening of "Soul of a People" at the Matheson Museum in Gainesville. The event is co-sponsored by the Matheson, the Civic Media Center, and the Alachua County Library District. Please click here to see a Gainesville Sun article about the event. Check back soon for more details!