Is National Criticism of Alabama Fair?
The national spotlight is on Alabama this week. after Chief Justice Roy Moore’s attempt to stop gay marriage from happening in the state. But is the attention giving an accurate portrayal of our state?
Late night talk show host Jon Stewart isn’t the only media pundit talking about Alabama. The controversy surrounding the legalization of gay marriage in the state has made it to every major cable network. Regardless of whether you believe same-sex marriage should be legal,is it fair for outsiders to criticize what’s happening here?
“It happens,” says Montgomery resident Heather Furr. “Georgia has had national attention. Everybody gets national attention every once in a while.”
Chief Justice Roy Moore’s last minute order to Alabama probate judges, telling them not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples has been compared to former Governor George Wallace’s Stand in the School House Door. Moore told Alabama News Network it’s an unfair comparison.
“This is different,” he said. “This is not about the color of your skin. It’s about whether the institution of marriage will be preserved in this state.”
For all those who have criticized Moore, other national publications have given him some support. People we spoke with had mixed feelings about the national attention.
“I don’t think it’s fair,” says student William Hardnett. “A lot of people were talking about this in class, that people think Alabama, we’re real slow and ignorant and stuff but we are growing and there’s a lot of history in Alabama.”
Others say the criticism is warranted, including Melissa Bates who’s moved around the country with the military.
“Every single thing that I’ve come across here has lined up right in line with what I’ve heard.”
Governor Robert Bentley said on Tuesday that he doesn’t want Alabama portrayed in a negative light because it doesn’t help him with recruiting jobs to the state.
