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Montgomery, Alabama, Votes to Keep Discrimination Legal - Because Bathrooms.

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On Tuesday, the City Council of Montgomery, Alabama, voted down an ordinance that would have offered protections to a wide range of minority groups and prohibited discrimination based on race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity in a wide range of city services. The vote was 5-4. The mayor of Montgomery, Steven Reed, expressed frustration with the result.

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Mayor Steven Reed addressing the media after the vote.

He admonishing the council, after the vote, that he would no longer be able to tell businesses, which believed in non-discrimination, that they are welcome in Montgomery.

“If I am asked if we are a city devoted to diversity and inclusion of all people then I have questions on that.”

What makes this vote notable is the demographics of the city and the city council. In a town where 61% of the residents are Black, it would be a reasonable assumption that measures preventing discrimination against minorities would easily pass. But when you look at the city council itself, you will note that despite the city being only 33% white, whites have 56% of the council seats.

Governments should reflect the populations they govern. But white Americans have succeeded by force, violence, laws, and redistricting, to maintain power even when they are in the minority. And it seems that Montgomery is no exception.

However, there is a wrinkle. Because, while there are five white council members, one of the five votes to keep discrimination on the city books was cast by Audrey ‘Jessie’ Graham, a Black woman. And why did she vote that way? She told a local TV station, WSFA-TV, that she felt “bullied” into voting for the ordinance because she didn’t have time to figure out exactly what it does.

It would be easy to criticize Graham for being unprepared, especially as the ordinance had been presented to the council over a month ago, and a vote on it was delayed specifically so council members could understand it better. But let's consider the reality. It seems obvious that four white men, looking to shoot down the measure, knew that had to pick up one Black vote. (Good on the one white man who voted ‘yes’). Ultimately they were able to bully Graham into being that vote. And they found the key.

The public remarks before the vote repeatedly referencing men being able to enter women’s restrooms. This is a standard conservative scare tactic. Focus on the one thing —  insignificant though it might be — that will garner enough support to sink the whole enterprise, no matter how important it is.

Men can go in women’s bathrooms anytime they want. it may be against the law, but there are no locks on public bathroom doors — or often even doors. So the idea that an anti-discrimination measure would open up a flood gate of sexual assaults in women’s bathrooms is ludicrous. But conservatives will keep playing that card as long as it muddies the waters. And it did. As Councilwoman Graham said in explaining her ‘no’ vote.

“It need to be clear conscious because I have to answer to the people in my district about every decision I make and I want to be able to give a good answer.”

And I doubt it was issues of race that were clouding her conscience.


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