People who saw George Wallace as a racist populist may have missed the complexity that lurks behind a facade. The man had many faces.
George loved being in the spotlight, so he was forced to continually run for office, aiming to rise to the top: first, to be Governor of Alabama; then be the president of the United States. But holding office was not as important as winning it. George enjoyed the thrill of the chase, even when he took him away from his duties as governor. He, too, needed power, so much so that he had his terminally ill wife Lurleen replace him when he was no longer eligible to serve as governor of Alabama.
Beneath the shield of simplicity was a unique man with the ability to adapt to any situation and make it work in his favor. He was so adept at being “the boy next door” that people didn’t look past it. However, when he dealt with bureaucrats, his personality changed and he acted appropriately to the occasion.
He served in difficult and controversial times. Like other politicians of his ilk in the Civil Rights era, he did what was politically expedient, passionately trying to hold on to the norms of the past, especially white supremacy. Much was done under the guise of states’ rights. He knew that his infamous “standing at the school gate” was useless, but he fulfilled his campaign promise made in a speech when he said: “I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever.” Later, he claimed that the word “segregation” was a misnomer; he intended to say “States’ Rights” in all three places. Then he changed with the times and made amends by apologizing to the families of four children who were the victims of a 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in 1963.
A determined man, being shot in an assassination attempt did not stop him from continuing to pursue his goals. His passion endured and he didn’t waver after what he called his “accident.” His mantra was “Keep going,” even though being confined to a wheelchair meant he could no longer defend Alabama. He had supporters and opponents. The people who loved him were fiercely loyal, and those who didn’t constantly harped on his flaws.
Although George had three wives, he chose to be buried next to his first, Lurleen. His bodies rest in the Circle of Life Section of Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery. Both former governors are still not far from the Alabama Capitol.