American Scare: Florida’s Hidden Cold War on Black and Queer Lives by Robert W. Fieseler is a meticulously researched exposé of the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee—known as the “Johns Committee”—and its campaign of fear and persecution against Black and queer citizens in mid-20th-century Florida123. Drawing on a newly uncovered trove of primary source documents, Fieseler reconstructs the committee’s operations, its devastating impact on individuals and communities, and the broader context of American social and political repression during the Cold War era123.
Set in the late 1950s and 1960s, American Scare explores a period when the Florida Legislature, under the guise of rooting out communism, created and funded the Johns Committee to target perceived threats to the state’s white, conservative order123. This committee, led by Charley Johns, used its extraordinary powers to investigate and intimidate members of the NAACP, Black parents seeking school integration, and suspected homosexuals among teachers, professors, and students123.
The Johns Committee operated with secrecy and impunity, often interrogating suspects in hotel rooms with the blinds drawn, using intimidation, threats, and psychological manipulation to extract confessions or force resignations123. The committee conflated civil rights activism with communism, and then equated communism with homosexuality, thus justifying its attacks on both Black activists and queer individuals123.
Fieseler brings the committee’s victims to life through detailed profiles and personal stories. One such story is that of Art Copleston, a college student dragged from class and interrogated for being a suspected homosexual123. Another is Father Thomas Gibson, a Miami NAACP president who, along with other Black parents, faced relentless state harassment for challenging school segregation23. These narratives illustrate the committee’s reach and the climate of fear it created, as well as the courage and resilience of those who resisted123.
Despite spending nearly half a million taxpayer dollars, the Johns Committee failed to jail a single communist but succeeded in ruining hundreds of lives—firing teachers, expelling students, and intimidating activists23. Its actions contributed to the broader “Lavender Scare” and reinforced systems of segregation and homophobia in Florida123. Fieseler draws explicit parallels between the committee’s tactics and contemporary political battles over race, sexuality, and education, arguing that the legacy of this era still shapes Florida’s—and America’s—political landscape today34.
A key element of the book is Fieseler’s use of previously hidden or redacted documents, which he decoded and de-censored for the first time123. This archival work allows him to reveal the true extent of the committee’s operations and the state’s efforts to keep this history buried123. He also highlights the ongoing struggle to preserve and confront uncomfortable aspects of American history53.
Meticulous Research: Fieseler’s use of primary sources, including newly uncovered documents, provides fresh insights into a little-known chapter of American history123.
Human-Centered Storytelling: The book excels in personalizing history, giving voice to the committee’s victims and showing the real human cost of state-sponsored persecution123.
Historical Relevance: By drawing connections between past and present, Fieseler demonstrates how the politics of fear and repression continue to influence contemporary debates over race, sexuality, and education534.
Compassionate Tone: Fieseler writes with empathy and determination, refusing to let the stories of marginalized individuals remain hidden34.
Engaging Narrative: Despite the heavy subject matter, the book is described as a page-turner, balancing drama with historical analysis64.
Dense Writing Style: Some readers found the writing style challenging and the book difficult to get into, possibly due to the depth of detail and the weight of the subject matter3.
Emotional Toll: The harrowing stories and relentless injustices described can make the book a tough, sometimes overwhelming read3.
Academic Tone: At times, the narrative may feel more like a history book than a popular nonfiction account, which could limit its accessibility for some general readers13.
Limited Broader Context: While the book powerfully details Florida’s story, some may wish for a more expansive comparison to similar events in other states or regions3.
American Scare is a vital and timely work that uncovers a dark chapter in American history, revealing how state power was wielded to suppress Black and queer lives in the name of morality and order123. Fieseler’s research and storytelling ensure that the victims of the Johns Committee are not forgotten, and his analysis offers urgent lessons for today’s political climate534. While the book’s depth and style may challenge some readers, its importance as both historical documentation and a warning for the present cannot be overstated534.