Observations of the South

I wanted to comment upon my obersvations of the South and what I have realized since I have gone back, witnessed it, and left it in the first place. Montgomery, and indeed a large bulk of the south, and especially the powerhouse areas of the south have an influx of Afro-Americans(of course, its the trend ever since the 80s right?) However, one of the beautiful side effects of it is that you are beginning to see black owned, black controlled, and black influenced entities and institutions throughout the south--from the political, social, and economic fronts. One example of the stronghold of the Afro-american community in the south is WVAS 90.7, the radio station of Alabama State, which hosts NPR, jazz, and various functions from around the city of Montgomery. It is the best radio station in the area.

Also, indicative of this is the mayoral election in Montgomery during the '99 and '00 season. Not only was there a black woman running for the mayors race in the city of Montgomery (getting someting around 4% of the vote), but the Blacks and other progressives in the city ousted the old crudgeon of a mayor who had been sitting there for ages(I can't remember his name right now) and put in place someone who was only slightly more progressive. It was a small, but important victory.

Looking at other places in Alabama and throughout the South--it is absolutely astounding that Selma is now run by a Black muslim mayor. Beautiful and progressive. Alas, Hank Sanders (and his wife Rose) are power houses in the state of Alabama and the old Civil Rights veterans who were fortunate enough to be in the front of the lines and at the heads of the campaigns are sitting dignitaries in Alabama and Southern society. From Fred Gray to Andrew Young, they sit in the seats of reverance.

Progressivism, as a symptom of the changing of the guard, has invaded the South. Indeed, I was quite shocked to learn that in the last presidential election, Montomgery and Dallas County(the home county of Selma) went for Gore! That is quite amazing in the middle of that Bible belt. Times are definitely changing.

Alas, there is still much to be done in the south, and things to be challenged and fought. This is not a call to sit down. The guard is changing, but there still needs to be a constant banter of voices to express dissent and challenge the old powerbrokers of the south, whenever they come to stand in the way of progress.