While many states are celebrating progressive triumphs for gay marriage and the legalization of marijuana, liberals in Alabama are cheering on the defeat of an amendment that would have removed racist language from their state constitution.
STORY: Change We Believe In! Weed, Gay Marriage & Minority Voters: The Changing Face In Politics
Yesterday, residents in the Southern state voted down a measure that would have erased parts of the Alabama Constitution that referenced racial segregation in schools and a poll tax. Ironically, efforts to keep the racist rhetoric were lead by a teacher’s union and a Black lawmakers. They argued that taking out the racially-charged rhetoric would also lead to the removal of language that guarantees state funding for public education.
BlogAL.com reports:
“The defeat of Amendment 4 should send a clear message to Montgomery that the rights of our school children to a public education should stand,” Mabry said Tuesday. “Alabama spoke tonight, and the state’s people said they value a public education for our children.”
By twice rejecting amendments that would strike controversial language – one that would eliminate phrasing about the right to a public education, and one that would not – it appears Alabama prefers the status quo to the danger of unintended legal consequences that may come with reform, said Rep. Demetrius Newton, D-Birmingham.
Wow, we didn’t see that coming!
Check out a photo of the racist section via Buzz Feed below:
SOURCE: BlogAL.com
