going home without leaving the area
I experienced a mind-blowing, heart-wrenching exhibit last weekend. It was by an Alabama artist/photographer named William Christenberry. Above the title of his exhibit “Passing Time” was the following quote:
I left Alabama in 1961 and never went back to live. Not because I don’t like it, but because living outside it, I can see it more objectively.
The exhibit contained photographs of landmarks that I’ve visited, seen, or heard of by friends and family. While I was viewing the exhibit (I spent an hour of my 4 hours at the National Portrait Gallery), I found myself back home… surreal… I didn’t feel like I was 14 hours away from family, friends, good food, and laughter. And for a moment, I cried… not sad tears, but tears of gladness. It was amazing to be right in the middle of something that someone else shared my experiences.
I like to think that Alabama and I have a love-hate relationship. I love where I grew up… I love my family, my friends… I love the smell of cut grass everywhere, the sight of trees (tons of them), and the feeling of diving into the lake that I’ve swam in for most of my life. The part of Alabama that I hate involves nothing of this.
The part of Alabama that I quickly left behind is its inability to grasp its own rich history. No, it’s not great that the cities of Birmingham, Selma, Tuscaloosa, or Montgomery were involved in a bitter and brutal civil rights debacle. But, it is beyond time to accept that those actions were wrong, and try to make it right. The state has had chances to remove segregationist language from the constitution time and time again, but the state legislators refuse to change it because they are afraid their property tax (which is by far the cheapest in the country) might raise a few dollars a year. It’s time for the state and its citizens to change it, and thankfully, some are, because of the work of Mark Berte and the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform.
I agree with Mr. Christenberry when he said that he can be more objective outside of the state. I miss the state… I wish I could visit more… with friends, family, places dear to my heart. Most of the books that I have read since I left involve Alabama in some historical regard. And, while it took me a few months to realize after I left, I am proud when people identify my accent and know that I am from the Deep South.
But, just remember… while I love my heritage and my roots, I don’t approve of hatred, bigotry, or racism. And, I’m thrilled to learn of new generations that are refusing to accept the former status quo, and are going beyond themselves to make a state that is united and progressive… and realizes that there is a long road ahead, but it can be a powerful road to overcome.
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