In November 2022, voters in Alabama will decide whether or not to remove racist 20th century language from their state’s constitution. That’s correct, 2022! The remnants of these laws that should’ve been left behind in Jim Crow are shocking.
The constitution still describes using poll taxes, which were blatantly used to disenfranchise low-income Black residents before they were banned in 1964. Formerly incarcerated Alabamians still face financial disenfranchisement in the modern day, though.
Language discussing school segregation is next, saying that “separate schools shall be provided for white and colored children.” Intervening in schools to maintain "peace and order" is also coded language for racial separation in education.
There’s even a passage on what became the basis for “convict leasing,” which states “there shall not be any involuntary servitude, otherwise than for the punishment of crime.” Because of this practice, Alabama was able to profit off of free, forced prison labor for decades.
Many Black Alabamians know that getting rid of the language won't get rid of racism itself – but they're challenging the system to do both. That effort is needed nationwide.
"The language in here is an indication of people's hearts and minds,” said Senator Rodger Smitherman, who was critical of challenging one without the other. “We have to change how we treat people in this place."