The United States has gone through a difficult few decades with regards to its segregation issues, and while the situation is definitely improved today, the past still echoes in current events. Alabama in particular was one state that had to go through some serious difficulties, partly in the face of George Wallace, who was the Governor of the state in 1963.
Wallace became widely known for his act of blocking the doorway to the University of Alabama, preventing two black students from entering the building in an attempt to stop them from enrolling. Even though there was a federal order that proclaimed it their legal right to seek education in the university, Wallace decided to exercise rights granted to him by the state, and refused to execute the legal order.
The situation didn’t last long, as President Kennedy ended up summoning the National Guard to assist, which was when Wallace decided to move out of the way. Since then, the phrase “standing in the schoolhouse door” has managed to actually become an idiom for citizens of Alabama as a reminder of the state’s troublesome past.
And some figures of authority certainly seem intent on making sure that this past is never forgotten. Roy Moore of the Alabama Supreme Court has a very strong stance on the issue of same-sex marriage, and on Monday, he issued an order to all probate judges across his state to not issue marriages to any same-sex couples.
This move immediately draw comparisons to George Wallace, a reaction that hardly shocked anyone. Various publications have been expressing their outrage at Moore’s actions, as have activists throughout the country. And thankfully, it’s quite obvious that Moore isn’t enjoying the support he probably was hoping for – several probate judges have already refused to carry on the order from Moore, granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Others have decided to wait until the situation is resolved, stating that they wanted to wait for some clarification before moving forward with any actions. Judge Susan H. Shorter is among them, as was explained by her chief clerk Beverly Lowe in a recent interview. As soon as the judge has been given further clarification on the issue, she would proceed according to the current legal situation.
In the end, Moore is fighting a battle he has no chance of winning. It was difficult enough for George Wallace even though he lived in a different time, when his stance was much more acceptable for many people – but today, Moore is the one who’s actually in a minority with his views, from what it seems, and the public is definitely not going to keep quiet on their disgust with his actions.