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Hank Sanders

Hank Sanders

Black in America: I Am Afraid, But I Summon My Courage.

By Senator Hank Sanders Selma, AL – Every time I am stopped by law enforcement, I’m afraid. I recently shared this fear with a friend who is White. He said he understood, but it is very hard for most Whites to understand what it is like to be stopped by law enforcement when you are … Continued
July 18, 2016

The Bingo Bill: Right and Wrong vs. Senate Customs

By Senator Hank Sanders What do we do when we are caught between institutional customs and right and wrong?  I am facing such a dilemma at this very moment.  The institutional customs of the Alabama State Senate says that one Senator does not get involved in another Senator’s local legislation except to vote yes or … Continued
April 13, 2016

Alabama DMV Closures All About Politics, Politics, Politics!

By Sen. Hank Sanders  It’s about politics.  It’s not about the budget.  It’s about politics.  It’s not about revenue.  It’s all about politics, politics, politics, politics.  The closing of the Driver’s License Offices (DMVs) is all about politics, not revenue, not budgets.  Let me tell you why. First, the fees for driver’s licenses were recently … Continued
November 10, 2015

When Alabama gets a cold, the Black Belt gets pneumonia

By Sen. Hank Sanders  When one community gets a cold, another community gets pneumonia.  I heard variations of this wise saying many times as I grew up.  It was said to illustrate how the exact same thing can adversely impact some much more than others.  This is not only true of groups but of geographical … Continued
October 7, 2015

Why the Edmund Pettus Bridge Must Be Renamed

By Sen. Hank Sanders  The Edmund Pettus Bridge is a symbol of Freedom all over the world.  It is also a symbol of Voting Rights and democracy. However, the very name stands for the exact opposite. Symbols are Powerful. Symbols enter into our conscious and sub conscious without our screening them.  Then they impact us … Continued
June 8, 2015

Senate Sketches #1448

By Sen. Hank Sanders  A taste of Jubilee. A taste of the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the Selma-to-Montgomery March, the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and much much more.  This Bridge Crossing Jubilee was a once in a lifetime experience.  Decades from now, people will say, “I was there for the 50th.” … Continued
March 11, 2015

Senate Sketches #1414

By Sen. Hank Sanders  A nice house makes such a difference in our lives.  I vividly recall the difference it made it my life.  It changed the way I saw myself.  It changed the way I saw my family.  It changed the way my family saw me and others in the family.  A nice house … Continued
July 15, 2014

Stop the Destruction of Alabama State University

By Sen. Hank Sanders  It is so wrong.  It is so destructive.  It is so terrible.  The “It” of which I write is the tragedy heaped upon Alabama State University (ASU). Based upon specious allegations by a President of Alabama State University, who was present for only three months, federal and state authorities commenced criminal … Continued
November 1, 2013