George Wallace Renounced Segregationist Politics

When American politician George Wallace became governor of Alabama in 1963, he promised "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever." His "forever" lasted less than two decades. In 1979, Wallace renounced his segregationist past, called his attempt to block Black students from the University of Alabama wrong, and publicly asked Black Americans for forgiveness. He won a fourth term as governor on a liberal platform in 1982 and later appointed a record number of Black Americans to state positions.

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