Photographer Ernest Withers doubled as FBI informant

[AcadieLibre]

Famed photographer Ernest Withers doubled as FBI informant to spy on civil right groups and leaders, the line out of most of the article that bothered me the most was at the end when these statements were made:

Regardless of his motives, the revelation of Withers' FBI work doesn't harm his memory for some who knew him.

"It does not alter who he was a person,'' said ex-Invader Coby Smith. "He did so many more things. That wasn't a fulltime thing to be an informant for them.''

Rev. Lawson agreed. "It won't tarnish his memory for his family and friends.'' quoted from the article written by Marc Perrusquia

With all the damaged he did to the movement by co-operating with the FBI, the fact he lied and deceived his friends and family how can it not tannish their image of him, he was a state plant, he sold out his cause and it does not matter why, it matters he did. It does not diminish his works which some are astounding but that still does not mean he was a snivelling sellout and traitor to his own people and cause. I am sure those harassed, persecuted would feel the same way I do, what his ignorant friends and family forget is it ruined peoples lives.

There are many artists whose work I admire but find their politics, personality and they are usually narcissistic asses. So I can appreciate the art while despising the artist.

[Kawarthabob]

Did he ever say why he did what he did? He must have had a reason.