The reason I ask is because he seems to be rambling on incoherently when Spike Lee interviewed him towards the end of his life. It's a striking contrast with the younger Wallace. It might explain why he allowed himself to be interviewed (and made a fool of).
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It wasn't so much that he was senile, it seemed to me that he was highly consumed with guilt.
It was often said that after the assassination attempt on him in '72, which rendered him a paraplegic, he bore a great deal of guilt during the second part of his life. And the guilt was undoubtedly over his pro-segregation policies during his tenure as Alabama governor, which led to the tragic 16th Street Church bombing. (MLK had publicly berated Wallace for the tragedy and laid much of the blame of it on him.)
Wallace probably went to his grave believing that his paraplegia was comeuppance for his racist attitude. He most likely granted an interview to Spike for this documentary as a way of making amends, and by acknowledging that the black guy featured with him in the documentary was his current "best friend," Wallace was trying to show contrition for his bigoted past.
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Just like someone is speaking from sheer ignorance.
Years after his was shot in '72, George Wallace DID express remorse for his past and said it publicly. It was even said that he spoke to a black congregation in the South, where MLK had once preached, to convey regret for his past racist views. He also stated to the church congregation that he wanted to work to promote co-existence between the black and white races. If you don't believe me, just "Google" his biographical information.
And by the way, I have NEVER watched "Driving Miss Daisy." Movies like this are just not my cup of tea.
"Regret" means nothing when you're about to enter the after life. GW actively courted the racist bigots in the south so he could win election. He CHOSE that.
The fact that you all watched this movie and you're all "poor George Wallace" is sickening. His policies directly led to the murder of those children. He got to live out his life to a ripe old age. Those little girls did not get that at all.
So disgusting. The only solace in all of this is that he's dead now. Oh, and that black man was his nurse. He was uncomfortable with the interview. If you weren't so busy feeling sorry for Wallace, you'd at least noticed that.
I'm here....
"Regret" means nothing when you're about to enter the after life."
Lol. How would you know?
His policies directly led to the murder of those children. He got to live out his life to a ripe old age. Those little girls did not get that at all.
On the contrary, his policies indirectly led to their death, although he did bear some responsibility for the tragedy. Yes, he did live to a relatively ripe age and the four children didn't. But trust me, Wallace, who spent the second half of life as a paraplegic, suffered intently, and his life of such poor quality that his eventual death may have been a blessing.
The fact that you all watched this movie and you're all "poor George Wallace" is sickening.
The surviving relatives of the nine black folks recently murdered in S.C. are a prime example of why forgiveness is divine, as they offered their forgiveness to the white young man who callously murdered their loved ones. I suppose these people are "sickening" to you as well?
It wasn't so much that he was senile, it seemed to me that he was highly consumed with guilt.This is exactly the way I viewed it as well. He really seemed like he was trying to make amends for what he'd done in the past. It was kind of sad to watch.
It was often said that after the assassination attempt on him in '72, which rendered him a paraplegic, he bore a great deal of guilt during the second part of his life. And the guilt was undoubtedly over his pro-segregation policies during his tenure as Alabama governor, which led to the tragic 16th Street Church bombing. (MLK had publicly berated Wallace for the tragedy and laid much of the blame of it on him.)
Wallace probably went to his grave believing that his paraplegia was comeuppance for his racist attitude. He most likely granted an interview to Spike for this documentary as a way of making amends, and by acknowledging that the black guy featured with him in the documentary was his current "best friend," Wallace was trying to show contrition for his bigoted past.
Thanks Peach. I'm glad someone agrees w/me!
shareGW Dr id indeed become a Christian in '79 and publically denounced segregation and admitted his wrong doing & asked forgiveness. According to bios he never believed in segregation but it brought him the power & offices he wanted. I read he said to someone in the 60's that he tried to talk about good schools and new roads and was ignored. When he saw others get reactions on segregation he tried it and people would holler and stamp the floor in a way that sometimes frightened him.
You can't undo the wrong you did with a blanket apology but it is an interesting bit of story.