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This is a bit off topic, but Chrystie, but I admit that I am a bit curious as to why you like the University of Alabama so much (and have even expressed a desire for Ellie to go there)?? Considering what I read on your (fabulous blog), you seem to be VERY liberal and have a strong aversion to conservatism, especially southern religious conservatism, which is pretty much the essence of a school like Alabama.

"Bama" also has a rather disturbing history of racism (some would say it's hardly in the past) and liberal values and beliefs are definitely not embraced by the majority of the population there-- and, honestly, I don't see that changing in 14 years.

I don't have a vendetta against Alabama or anything, I'm just wondering why you're a fan...? Alabama has to be one of THE most conservative/religious right oriented universities in America, a place I wouldn't think you'd be attracted to at all, or would want your daughter to be educated...

Comment left by Anonymous

Dear Anonymous:

Thanks for commenting on my blog! I LURVE me some comments! I am undeserving of any, since I am a horrible blog commenter myself. Must. Be. Better.

I feel your comments deserve a response! My first reaction while reading them was defensiveness. Why are you dissing Bama? Why do you assume that I’m a liberal? Why are you making it sound like my Alabamian family and friends are racist?

But, then I realized that if you don’t know my past and why I have such an affection towards Bama (both the state and the University), you probably WOULD be puzzled. The easy answer to your first question (Why (do) you like the University of Alabama so much?) is this: I married a hot guy from there. Some of my best friends live there. My amazing in-laws reside there. We started our married life there. It’s where the person I love most in this world still calls “home”.

Now, this is CHRYSTIE’S blog, so you can suffice that a “short answer” won’t be enough! Bwa ha ha!

First of all, I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion that the University of Alabama is one of “THE most conservative/religious right oriented universities in America…” Have you been to Liberty University’s website lately (I won’t even post the link on my blog, for fear of bloating their exposure)?! UA is a state school. That alone precludes it from being a religiously right institution. Now, is it a more conservative state school? Sure. The majority of students are from Alabama, and Alabama is a red state.

I would be absolutely THRILLED if Ellie decided to go to the University of Alabama. Of course, that would mean we’d have to move to Tuscaloosa to be close by, ha! I think it’s a great school and that she would receive a stellar education (at a state school price, yay!). I’m sure she would be encouraged to think for herself, whether her ideas were “right wing” OR “left wing”. AND, she could then take advantage of student prices for football tickets!

I want to address this statement: “…you seem to be VERY liberal and have a strong aversion to conservatism, especially southern religious conservatism…”

When I first read this, I asked Richard, “I’m not THAT liberal, am I?” He laughed. Snorted, actually. And responded with, “Um, yeah.”

I suppose I should be happy to admit that I AM fairly politically liberal. And the majority of Alabama residents (including most of my family and friends) would be politically conservative. If we ever move back there, I would certainly have to fight the good fight. I would lobby for gun control. I would support the adoption of health benefits for EVERY American. I would advocate for the rights of women. I would campaign for maternity leave benefits. I would favor peace instead of war. I would push for raising the minimum wage. I would protest tax cuts. All things that are categorized as “liberal”. Things that my conservative friends and family would most likely oppose.

I don’t know that I would be considered religiously liberal though. I believe that Jesus is “the way, the truth and the light”. Period. I don’t subscribe to the belief that each person can make up their own religion. That type of liberal I am NOT. However, if believing that God created men and women equal, with the ability to lead and serve each other, is considered liberal, then I am DEFINITELY that! If wishing that church was void of politics; that there needs to be a separation of church and state, makes me a liberal, then I’m guilty as charged.

Lastly, I want to respond to this: “…"Bama" also has a rather disturbing history of racism (some would say it's hardly in the past) and liberal values and beliefs are definitely not embraced by the majority of the population there…”

I am Caucasian. This fact alone will keep me from ever fully realizing how prevalent racism is. I have lived in both Alabama and Texas. I have heard the racist comments. I have seen how the tracks divide the rich from the poor, the Black or Hispanic neighborhoods from the White. I have listened to people I love very deeply say terrible, unrepeatable things about immigrants (always forgetting, of course, that *I* was an immigrant!).

I have also lived in Manitoba. I drive my daughter out to Children’s Hospital in downtown Winnipeg every couple of weeks. I notice the skin color of the homeless people sleeping in the waiting rooms. It’s not white. I have seen how the tracks divide the rich from the poor, the Native from the White. I have listened to people I love very deeply say terrible, unrepeatable things about Aboriginal Canadians.

Racism is not contained in the deep South. It’s everywhere. It comes in different forms and is focused on different groups, but it’s in the Northeast, the Midwest, and even in my beloved Canada. Yes, there were times when I was appalled by the blatant racism in the South. Generations of wrongful hatred and stereotypes still exist. And while it’s probably more evident in places like Alabama and Texas (at least from my perspective), it’s present everywhere.

I also know this: Last August, two of our best Bama buds grew their family by adopting two BEAUTIFUL girls from Guatemala. Three months ago, one of my sweetest friends, also born and raised in Alabama, travelled to Ethiopia to pick up and bring home her GORGEOUS daughter. Two Alabama families in my little circle alone who absolutely shatter the racist stereotype. Two Alabama families who are missed and loved dearly.

So, Anonymous, I know you “don’t have a vendetta against Alabama”, but you also don’t know the Alabamians I know. You don’t love them like I do. You don’t see their hearts the way I do. And you certainly must not like the Tide the way I do! Otherwise you’d know EXACTLY why I’d be happy to see Ellie educated there.

(Ellie, if you’re reading this a few years from now, please know that even though we’d support your decision to go to college anywhere, especially to UA, we’d also be REALLY REALLY happy if you stuck closer to home. The University of Winnipeg is a really good school!)