1115.org

A lot has changed since the fifties and sixties, when the Civil Rights movement was at its most visible. But no one ever decided to reflect those changes in the Alabama Constitution, which�unbelievably�still contains segregationist language. During the recent election, a measure was placed on the Alabama ballot to drag their constitution into the twenty-first century.

The measure would have struck language - both in the main body of the Constitution, adopted in 1901, and in subsequent amendments - saying 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.” It would also have deleted language on poll taxes, which in the Jim Crow South were often applied to keep blacks from voting.

And you know what? The measure was actually defeated, keeping the Alabama constitution intact. Feel free to make whatever jokes you want.

It should come as no surprise that former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore�who was notoriously booted from office because of his refusal to remove a monument of the Ten Commandments�was against changing the state constitution. Another vocal opponent was Moore’s former advisor and newly-elected Alabama Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker, who is a favorite of secessionist groups. The more things change…

Is this the return to “traditional values” that people seem to be fixated on?