Montgomery, AL – A newly-drawn congressional map of Alabama somehow places the city of Birmingham, which is majority-black, in New Jersey. While objections were raised, the map was quickly passed by the both majority-Republican branches of the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey.
“This is a glorious day for Alabamans,” Gov. Ivey said after the signing. “Mainly those who are white and Republican.”
When asked about whether she regretted essentially losing a major Alabama city to New Jersey, Ivey said, “Birmingham? What’s that? I never heard of Birmingham, Alabama. Now, Birmingham, New Jersey, I know well. Wonderful city. The pride of New Jersey, some say.”
Amid protests by citizens and Democratic lawmakers alike, the legislature approved the new map on a party-line vote. One Republican who spoke on condition of anonymity said the changes weren’t about race, though they were totally about race.
“This isn’t about race or disenfranchising black Alabamans,” he said. “Not at all. This is about retaining power for the Republican party in Alabama, ensuring that they continue to drive the policies that work for Alabama. Also, it’s totally about race. 100%. No doubt about it.”