Some call it a miracle. Others may say we got lucky. But I believe we endeavored on a journey to make a difference. Where a coalition of like minded folks threw down their money, their muscle and minds to change the direction of Alabama politics. To change the way Americans see Alabama. To change the conversation from despair to joy. Throw out convention and acceptance of business as usual, to break the mold. Think outside the box, color outside the lines. Ride your horse bareback with no bridle like Stacy Westfall. Try not to cry watching Stacy ride in honor of her father, to the song, Live like you were dying.
To hell with all the naysayers, let’s just do this thing, and see where it all ends. It was as glorious as the sunset I shared above. The win for Doug Jones was the salve we needed for our souls to start healing. For hate to take a step back, even for just a day, or maybe a week if we are lucky. Truly a life changing moment for Alabama. The very next day after Doug Jones won, there was instant karma.
From Al.com
"We had been averaging about 100 aggressive and threatening comments a day on Twitter the last three weeks of the campaign of people saying they would not come here to vacation again," said Sentell, the state's director of tourism. "When Tuesday's nights results came in and it was obvious Jones was going to win, it was like someone taking a switch and the aggressive messages stopped."
Positive headlines
Literally overnight, the social media anger directed at Alabama ended. In its place were national and international media headlines screaming "Thank you, Alabama" or, in the case of one center-left publication in Germany, "the miracle of Alabama."
I wasn’t aware that Germany had an opinion on this race. But we do have a Mercedes plant in McCalla, Alabama. The Alabama business community had a lot riding on the special election. It is rare to see both regular people and business interests all on the same page. Let alone pretty thrilled with the result. I could almost hear the collective sigh of relief and happiness as we all whooped with sheer bliss for 10 seconds or so, Alabama pulled itself out the of brink of the fires of hell.
From Al.com editorial board
Half a century after Alabamians of immense courage changed the course of history in the streets of Birmingham and Selma and Montgomery, the voice of justice once again rings out from the Deep South - from the ballots of black Alabamians, of women, and of young people of all genders committed to moving our world forward.
Today, there is a movement that's ALIVE - a burning movement fueled by those who seek an America that says no more to sexual abuse of girls and women, of denial of the fundamental human rights of gay Americans, Muslims and immigrants, and of the continued systemic racism that plagues our nation.
While so many watchers from outside our borders scorned and jeered us through these last few months, Alabamians showed Tuesday what we are made of, and what we are still craving.
This win may well give us the confidence and momentum to battle it out in 2018. I feel energized to help pick up the governors seat, also those pesky house seats too. We won’t win all the battles, it’s not really a war. But it is a big ole fight for the good of all, critters and people alike. We must do all we can to save this fragile world from ourselves. To banish the dirty dealers to the dust of past misdeeds. There is so much to do, so many wrongs to right. It is overwhelming and scary. But if we tread carefully and steadfastly, perhaps we can move the needle over to positive territory. Sometimes we may have to bash a few barriers to get there, but by golly, don’t give up. persevere folks.
I include Stacy Westfall in this diary as an example of how to treat a horse with respect and love, and patience. Also as a lesson in hard work and all the long hours it takes to succeed. Whether it be a political race, or training a horse. Stacy spends hundreds of hours training to compete, to ride without saddle or bridle. Many, many folks from so many groups (Indivisible, Equality Justice, Vote or Die, Human Rights Campaign, The Young Democrats of Alabama, NAACP, and more) worked hundreds of hours to help Doug Jones get elected. There is much more to come, to do, but for now we can take a collective breath and smile. We did it. We fucking did it. Thanks again for all your support, donations, and good deeds helping light the darkness. Until next time friends……...Live like you were dying.