Blindfolded black Alabamian asks strangers for hugs to prove ‘it’s not the same ol’ South’

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August 8, 2016

(Video above: David Sadler conducts his “blind trust experiment.)

David Sadler, a Montgomery, Alabama, native, wanted to prove that Alabama is not the “same ol’ South” that the media often portrays.

In an effort to show the real Alabama, Sadler decided to put on a blindfold and stand outside of Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium with a sign that said, “You do not have to fear me! I count … U count …. We count! I trust u, do u trust me? Let’s hug.”

Before long, Alabamians of all sizes, sexes, colors, ages and backgrounds were happily responding to Mr. Sadler’s invitation.

“I’m doing the blind trust experiment, hence the blindfold,” he went on to explain. “And it really is an indication that you don’t care who approaches you — you can’t judge them, you can’t see them. And are they willing to accept you for who you are?… And I wanted to do it here — Montgomery, Alabama — the birthplace of the Civil Rights movement, the cradle of the Confederacy, to prove to people that it’s not the same ol’ South.”

“You’re awesome,” one man told him. “I hope you’re having a great day!” Added another young lady.

“Thank you, thank you. God bless!” Mr. Sadler kept responding.

People Magazine and other national publications have quickly picked up on Mr. Sadler’s video, some of them expressing surprise about how well his experiment worked out.

“Would you stand on a street corner, blindfolded, asking strangers to hug you?” People Magazine rhetorically asked. “We wouldn’t blame you for saying no, but after watching this video, you might have slightly fewer doubts.”

“Just 50 years ago this simple act of love would have probably had me hanging from a tree,” Mr. Sadler concluded. “It’s not the same old South. Love will win over fear.”