using text from George Wallace’s 1963 Inaugural Address
I.
The Governor Speaks
before I begin— patience. my heart, by which I mean my anxious country, will never forget the folks we beat: the little lady who couldn’t see too well, the blessed opposition, the vote— this debt, this duty to every man, woman, and child: no Black shall have his livelihood, his future. we have stolen it away with our happy money, Jefferson Davis’s loving blood—
II.
Mo’ Money Interlude
money got mo’ problems money got a maserati money got mo’ money
money got ya mama and ya daddy too money got no expiration date
money got pennies and papercuts money got a white man on its face money got faces
money is nothing black even the ink is green money don’t know your name
money paid the price for our sins? for our freedom? money got math we can’t learn
money says it trusts in God what God trusts money? Jesus, Money, and Joseph
money, descended from Ham money watches us, naked money curses us, rich & poor
money said separate but equal money said 3/5ths a man money said four score and seven years ago
III.
Altar Call—The Poet Reproduces Wallace’s Exact Words
IN THE NAME OF THE GREATEST PEOPLE THAT HAVE EVER TROD THIS EARTH, I DRAW THE LINE IN THE DUST AND TOSS THE GAUNTLET BEFORE THE FEET OF TYRANNY AND I SAY: SEGREGATION NOW, SEGREGATION TOMORROW, SEGREGATION FOREVER.
IV.
Praise Break: The Governor Channels The Spirit of His god
Riot! Children, you can write that down. Mississippi was a B-29 bomber in this war to stop residential integration. Hypocrisy! Let us send this message: we, tyranny, shall put our heel on the neck of Washington, of those insipid judges who send smoke signals to the White House, those who are not worth the honor of their race. Hear me, Southerners! Your hearts live in the soil of Dixieland. Your rock-ribbed patriotism, your flaming spirit for segregation and freedom has been blessed by God! Alabama is the center of the world. God has given this to us—a heritage of unimpeachable authority and power. This ungodly government, these degenerates are the very opposite of Christ. Children, say a prayer for our dollars, our founding fathers, our faith, our power.
V.
A Case for Reparations