Editorial: Alabama's Racist Constitution - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Alabama's Racist Constitution

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By Mark Wilder - email

  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 

  • Thursday, May 9 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-09 23:20:06 GMT
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)  Legislation to create and secure jobs is most welcome this new legislative session. Expanding incentives, expanding deductions from state taxes of health care costs by small businesses and their employees, and enacting "rolling reserve" budget reform are all positive steps to enhance the business climate. Eliminating the racist language from Alabama's constitution would be a big help as well.

Section 256 of the constitution states that "separate schools shall be provided for white and colored children and no child of either race shall be permitted to attend a school of the other race."

Clearly this is not the reality in the schools in Alabama and doesn't reflect federal law.

Senator Arthur Orr plans to introduce legislation to remove this and other racist language from the constitution. We support it heartily and expect legislators will as well. We hope voters approve it this time. A similar measure was rejected by 1,800 votes seven years ago. Without public approval, a state constitutional amendment can't take effect.

Perception is reality in our world and this change in our constitution will change some of the stereotype perceptions of our state and offer a more welcoming environment for businesses and potential employees of those businesses.

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