Legal in Texas, Not in Alabama – Name the Halloween Costume
There is a healthy rivalry between the states of Texas and Alabama. A lot of that has escalated since the University of Texas joined the Southeastern Conference. That means the Longhorns and the Aggies both get to face off against the Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers. There's certainly nothing scary about that, just ask Jimbo Fisher.
And while there is a huge cultural difference between those who inhabit Alabama and those who revel in the Texas way of living we still have our similarities. For example, tonight, weather permitting, kids in Alabama and Texas will put on costumes and go door to door throughout their neighborhoods searching for treats.
If you're not sure when trick-or-treating is tonight for your town, we have that information for you on our station app.
If you follow the statistics most Alabama trick-or-treaters will be hoping for Skittles, Starburst, or Hershey's mini chocolate bars. Those are the most popular Halloween treats in 'Bama.
Meanwhile, in Texas, our ghosts and goblins hope the person who answers the door on Halloween will offer Lemonheads, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, and Starbursts. Those are the candies that we crave when we show up dressed in costumes on Halloween night.
The Halloween Costume That is Totally Against the Law in Alabama
So we've established we are wearing a costume for trick-or-treating tonight, are there any costumes that are off-limits? I am sure if your measuring stick is "good taste" and "social decency" there should be. But in Alabama, one costume or kind of costume was deemed so inappropriate for Halloween that they passed a state law against wearing it.
The law has been on the books for 59 years and no, no matter how you interpret the United States Constitution, you are not legally allowed to dress up for Halloween as a priest, nun, or any member of the clergy. Now if you show up in a sweater vest and some neatly pressed khaki pants you might be thought of as a youth minister but that's different.
Actually, the law in Alabama has very little to do with Halloween and everything to do with the Civil Rights Movement. The website AL.com has a wonderful in-depth story of how that law came to be. And from that story penned by reporter John Sharp, you can really get a glimpse into what life was like in the Deep South during the turmoil that was the '60s.
Can You Be Arrested For Wearing That "Banned" Costume?
Technically, you can. The statute suggests a fine of $500 and as much as one week in jail. However, most law enforcement agencies in Alabama don't enforce the legislation. It's just one of those "quirky laws" that were passed when the world was different.