The few family members I still have in Alabama tell me the state has “really changed.” Right. The stories coming out of places like Albertville and Sylacauga confirm all my old memories and prejudices. It seems every Republican politician in this part of northern Alabama wants a part of the Springfield, Ohio, conspiracy about Haitians.
Pastor Johnny Pierre-Charles has been in Albertville for 15 years or so, a town of about 22,400, with about 2500 Haitians who are also long-time residents. Almost two hours to the south is Sylacauga, a town of 12,500, less than an hour southeast of Birmingham, home to about 80 Haitians, and now the scene of anti-Haitian conspiracy theories.
The animus is so bad that Tommy Tuberville, that U.S. Senator’s claim to fame being a former football player and coach, wanted an investigation and the Lieutenant Governor claimed the HIV rate is “soaring.” Their “investigations” yielded nothing. At least the local Baptist Church was welcoming. The old racism never seems to die.
Prayer for the Day
We know, O God of justice, what is required of us, yet we falter;
We know, O God of mercy, what we need to do, yet we hesitate;
We see the evil in the world around and often are afraid to respond.
But you, O God, tug at our sleeves and call us to step forward.
Move us, O Holy Spirit, beyond the excuses we create:
So we may live faithfully according to your Gospel.
In the name of him who came to show us the way,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
It was embarrassing. He [State Attorney General Steve Marshall] met with our county’s task force, he met with the sheriffs, he met with all our police investigators, everything—and he could not find anything wrong.
Jim Heigl, Mayor, Sylacauga, Alabama
They’re here legally and doing honest work. Leave them alone.
Angie Hayden, Facebook
and of all the places in America they could have moved to they chose rural Alabama? I'm all for immigrants coming here and working hard to better themselves and their families situations. But if you think these families chose for themselves where they're at now then your head is obviously stuck up your own asphalt plant. These families were planted here in hopes to further an agenda
Facebook post
I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me; give ear to my voice when I call to you;
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips;
Do not turn my heart to any evil, busying myself with wicked deeds.
Psalm 141: 1-4a