Following the civil rights struggles in the 1960s, Alabamians saw a dramatic change in racial practices. Some black Alabamians began to think that a conversion had taken place. However, there was that curious element of blacks in Alabama who watched the trend of post civil rights moves by the white population.

The most drastic change was the emergence of private schools and academies that were for whites only. The public schools in many instances became a predominately minority (non-white) enrollment. Many blacks acquired positions in government and other public affairs that had once been all-white. In many instances, there were smooth transitions. Yet there were still attitudes that there should be tokenism in positions that blacks were qualified to hold.

It is not too strange that the last three years have brought out the true feelings of many whites who tolerated the changes brought about in the 1960s. These feelings have been pronounced with the new Republican-controlled Legislature. This time, the Hispanic population is one of the targets of bigotry and discrimination. The message is one that the laws may change, but the hearts will remain as cold as ever.

There is still a shock that a black man now occupies the office of president in the United States. Many latent feelings have begun to surface when speaking about the president. The 1960s chant of “We shall overcome” is still in the future tense.

Lindsey Ray
Montgomery