Asa Earl Carter: A Complex and Controversial Figure

A Segregationist Turned Bestselling Author

Asa Earl Carter, a name that echoes controversy and literary acclaim, is best known for his dual identities as a segregationist political activist and a bestselling Western novelist. He infamously cowrote George Wallace's 1963 segregationist speech, "Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever," and later penned the novel "The Rebel Outlaw Josey Wales" under the pseudonym Forrest Carter.

Early Life and Political Activism

Born on September 4, 1925, in Anniston, Alabama, Carter grew up in a region steeped in racial tension and segregationist ideology. He became politically active in the 1950s, founding the North Alabama Citizens Council (NACC), an offshoot of the White Citizens Council movement, and starting a segregationist radio show. Carter's extremist views led him to form the militant Ku Klux Klan group, the Original Ku Klux Klan of the Confederacy, and publish a monthly newsletter, "The Southerner," that disseminated white supremacist and anticommunist rhetoric.

In the 1970s, Carter reinvented himself as Forrest Carter, a supposedly Cherokee writer, and began his literary career. His Western novel, "The Rebel Outlaw Josey Wales" (1972), was adapted into a successful film starring Clint Eastwood in 1976. Carter's subsequent novel, "The Education of Little Tree" (1976), became a bestseller and won the American Booksellers Book of the Year (ABBY) award. However, in 1976, The New York Times revealed Forrest Carter's true identity as Asa Earl Carter, sparking national attention and controversy.

Controversies and Legacy

Carter's literary success was overshadowed by his segregationist past, and his later work was often criticized for its romanticized portrayal of Native Americans and the Old South. Despite this, "The Education of Little Tree" remained a beloved and bestselling book, with many readers unaware of the author's troubled history. Carter's legacy serves as a complex and thought-provoking example of the intersection of politics, literature, and personal identity.

• Notable Works:
  • "The Rebel Outlaw Josey Wales" (1972)
  • "The Education of Little Tree" (1976)
• Awards and Honors:
  • American Booksellers Book of the Year (ABBY) award for "The Education of Little Tree" (1976)

Personal Life and Milestones

Carter's personal life was marked by controversy and secrecy. He died on June 7, 1979, leaving behind a complex and multifaceted legacy. Despite his segregationist past, Carter's literary work continues to captivate readers, sparking important conversations about the intersection of politics, identity, and art.