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Posted by on Sep 4, 2015 in Blog, Politics | 0 comments

The Ominous Parallels Between 2015 Kim Davis and 1963 George Wallace

 

George-Wallace

In 1963, an elected public official named George Wallace openly defies federal law, denying equality.

 

Justice over bigotry shall ultimately prevail in Kentucky.

But let us not forget the disgraced bigot who openly stood in defiance, blocking a public doorway, thwarting the U.S. Constitution, and obstructing the basic freedoms of others.  Moreover, let us remember all those repugnant voices who joined in on the spectacle and openly defended such bigotry under the false pretenses of “religious freedom” and “states rights.”

Presumably the land of liberty and equality, America has witnessed this shameful moment before.

 

In 1963, Gov. George Wallace stood in front of the admissions office at the University of Alabama, where two Black students attempted to register for the upcoming school year.  Back then, Wallace bellowed against the federal government’s directive, asserting the authority of “states rights.”  Wallace, then an unapologetic defender of White supremacy and racism, infamously pledged his unwavering opposition to the integration of all levels of public education, vowing “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.”

STAND IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE DOOR

Wallace made quite a career out of bigotry.  He ran four unsuccessful bids for the presidency, and his third-party run in 1968 likely cost Hubert Humphrey and Democrats the White House (we ended up with Richard Nixon, instead).

To his credit, Wallace later came to realize and acknowledged the sins of his ominous past, and apologized.  He was re-elected governor again in the early 1980s, earning significant support from Black voters, and actually became a strong supporter of equality and civil rights during his final terms.  Even Wallace eventually came to his senses.

One must now wonder when (or if) the supporters of Kim Davis will come to their senses.  Based on all the support she’s getting from religious conservatives who are apparently blind to the legal principle of rule of law, don’t count on it.

Her clan of supporters has tried desperately to play the discredited canards of the past — including Christianity, Bible passages, religious freedom, and states rights.  Sound familiar?  George Wallace and his supporters once made identical arguments in opposition to equal rights for all.

Kim Davis is clearly using her authority as County Clerk to deny others their civil rights.  Substitute the word “gay” in 2015 for “black” in 1963, and the squabbling drivel of her sectarian supporters is the same.

Just as was the case a half-century ago, Davis’ arguments are both ludicrous, and dangerous.  They also mask real, far more dubious intentions.  Back then, state rights advocates didn’t like Blacks.  Now, state rights supporters here don’t approve of gays.  They allege that Kentucky (and its various counties) should be able to make their own laws governing citizens, including guidelines as to who can legally wed.  However, federal courts (and a majority of Americans) recognize that marriage is a fundamental right in this country (not to mention a basic human right), not to be denied anyone of legal age on the basis of race or gender.  Those rights are clearly being denied on the basis of gender in Kentucky.  In short, when equality and/or civil rights are denied, it is incumbent upon federal authorities to step in, take immediate action, impose measures to protect and defend those who need it, and prescribe punishments on those who broke the law.  If that’s not the way our system of government was set up — where federal laws eclipse state laws — we’d still have openly-segregated public facilities in many parts of the South.  We’d still have entire counties where not a single Black voter was registered.  We’d still have institutionalized discrimination in employment and housing.  And, interracial marriage would still be illegal, as it was in many parts of the United States up until 1967.

That’s why the federal government must, and has every right to step in and protect those who can’t protect themselves.  Because those who face discrimination have no other option for justice.

Indeed, the arguments of Kim Davis and her supporters are an ominous reminder that a significant percentage of the population of this country still doesn’t grasp the most essential components of Constitutional protection.  The only difference between the ugliness of bigots, then and now, is that some voices from those shameful earlier days have retracted those beliefs.  Yet some are still as loud, as obnoxious, as vile, as malicious — and as wrong — as ever.

In 2015, an elected public official named Kim Davis openly defies federal law, denying equality for all.

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