The Alabama soap opera

“Christians of Alabama, we do not really know the truth about these allegations, but if you really are a Christian you have no choice but to vote for Moore, Jones cannot be allowed to win. You must understand it does not matter what his values are, the only thing that matters is what the democratic party wants and they want to continue murdering unborn babies, to them this is nothing more than a piece of flesh to be sold at the highest bidder. They want to destroy Gods direction of marriage. They demand complete obedience. They condone and support homosexuality which according to the word of God is an abomination. Let God determine if he will continue to serve. I tell you that if this is a lie and God really wants Moore in office no one can stop it. If the allegations are true, you can be assured that Moore will not be in there for long.” – Jerry (comment on AL.com) 

I got to be honest, watching Alabama squirm, wiggle and twist in the wind is very entertaining. Alabama’s racist history is well documented, hell I even have my own Alabama racist story. Back in the mid 1980’s I was getting ready to graduate and looking for a job. I sent a resume to a company in Birmingham, AL and got an interview. What I had “heard” about Birmingham was that it was a “progressive” city feeding off of the growth of Atlanta 150 miles east of the city.

My first impressions of Birmingham were positive, rolling terrain, modern and old buildings and neighborhoods. It reminded me of a smaller Charlotte, my hometown. The sales manager I met with was the typical, slick, leisure suit wearing, middle-age man you would expect to meet in the south in 1984. The job was an entry-level position but would have been a great jumping off point for someone just graduating from college.

As the interview was winding down leisure suit guy asked me if I had any questions. I wanted to know something about Birmingham. I made the comment that I heard this was a “progressive, up and coming community” and I asked if he agreed. Leisure suit guy went on a long-winded answer about being born and raised here, hunting, fishing, NASCAR, Auburn University, yada yada yada and then this; “Yea I guess you could call us progressive but we still like to keep our colored’s in-check” he wrapped-up with a wink. I was stunned.

Unfortunately that 45 minute interview has clouded my impression of Alabama for over thirty years. I am not old enough to remember Gov. George Wallace blocking black students from entering a school, or the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing or Dr. King’s Selma to Montgomery marches but I am and was keenly aware of Alabama’s racist past. Thirty years ago I had hoped it was behind them. Sadly I learned otherwise.

I know that there are wonderful people, caring and compassionate people who live in Alabama. I know that they woke-up this morning hoping, and praying that this Roy Moore mess would just go away. I know that these same people are just doing their best to live a good life, raise happy, healthy and balanced children among all the clutter and chaos episodes like this create for their community, for their state. I am sorry they are having to deal with this but maybe, just maybe this could be the best thing that ever happened to Alabama.

Maybe it will motivate more sane and rational people to steep-up and take an active role in Alabama politics and social policies. Maybe this ugly glare of the national spotlight will make Alabamian’s reexamine their set of beliefs, reexamine and come to terms with their racist history. Or maybe, like Jerry above, they will simply bury their heads further into the sand and give the rest of the world the middle-finger because “God” is on their side.

Yes, watching this Roy Moore mess play out is sadly entertaining. For those good people of Alabama who don’t share Jerry’s view of the world, I am sorry to be entertained at your expense. But to all you “God-fearing, good Christian” Alabama Jerry’s and Geraldine’s out there, thank you! Thank you for showing the world your true colors. Thank you for showing us what a fraud your faith is. And thank you for staying in Alabama.