The University of South Alabama, located in Mobile, AL, was established in 1963 as an extension of the University of Alabama (eventually becoming independent of UA) and as a desegregated school. Today, it is known for its medical program, business school, and sports programs. Compared to the national average's ethnic diversity, South is an above-average school, with 22% of students identifying as African-American. 

Despite this, traces of George Wallace's name can still be found on various plaques and buildings across South's main campus. A notoriously racist man who, during his inauguration as Alabama's 45th governor boasted "Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever", George Wallace is a stain on Alabama's history and is a constant reminder of the state's racist past. Having his name on a campus that prides itself on diversity is ridiculous and it needs to be removed and his actions need be denounced. 

As a student at the University of South Alabama, I believe this needs to happen because George Wallace's name does not deserve a space on my campus. In 2018, there was a racist incident on campus, where a student hung a noose on campus and boasted about his hatred of African-Americans, Muslims, and other minorities. With names like Wallace's on campus, it only shows white nationalists like the one in this example that their agenda is still acknowledged. By removing his name, that's one less thing that they can feel validated by. I do not believe that any administrators at South are racist. This is something that is easily overlooked because attention isn't being brought to it as the plaques and markers aren't prominent -- but they exist nonetheless. My hopes are that this petition does well enough to show that George Wallace's name is not welcome on our campus.