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I’m from Alabama, I grew up there and lived and worked there for most of my adult life. I worked in and around politics there, I understand what drives the voters of Alabama, because I used to be one. Unfortunately, that also makes for a lot of embarrassment coming from my home state.
Tonight, however, I am not embarrassed.
Fifty plus years of pain and emotion came full circle tonight. In 1963 the 16th Street Baptist Church was bombed, killing four little girls. The attack on the black community in Birmingham was a disgusting and tragic event not only for Alabama but the entire nation. 15 sticks of dynamite took four beautiful young lives, but it also galvanized a movement. A movement that gained another victory in Alabama on this election night.
While three men went to prison for the bombing, two others seemingly went free. Through the work of US Attorney Doug Jones, those two men, Thomas Blanton Jr. and Bobby Frank Cherry, finally faced their crimes. Ultimately being found guilty and sentenced to prison in the early 2000’s.
Tonight Alabama voters faced a choice between Roy Moore and Doug Jones for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Most people, including myself, viewed a Democrat winning in Alabama a near impossibility. Even as the evidence against Moore piled up, it appeared that he would still likely win. Republicans were willing to cast their lot with him simply to keep a Democrat from winning.
What changed?
Across Alabama, something happened that never seemed to happen before in the state especially during a special election. The black voters of Alabama showed up and let their vote speak, loudly.
64 years after the bombing, on a stage in Birmingham Alabama, those four little voices were heard. The man who prosecuted the remaining perpetrators of that horrible event was elected to the U.S. Senate.
The monumental event that we have witnessed shouldn’t be overlooked. Four little black girls defeated a major party, a president, and the machine of one of the states most influential politicians. An unbelieving nation watched in awe as history was changed again, this time for good.
Tonight I am proud of my home state.
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Photo:Getty Images