Chris Reader: Stockholm syndrome runs strong in Montgomery

You probably haven’t heard of Stockholm, Ala. Yet every tax dollar you spend in this state runs through Stockholm. Your elected officials ostensibly live in Stockholm, and much of your state government works in Stockholm.

You see, Stockholm Syndrome is a recognized psychological condition in which an abused hostage develops feelings of loyalty to their abuser in order to cope with the situation they are dealt in life. I never thought I’d fall victim to Stockholm, but two years after leaving Montgomery, I now have a certain sense of clarity and realize I was indeed captured by it.

I spent my first summer in Montgomery clerking for an old law firm in the summer of 2012. I was excited for my first real job and paycheck but quickly learned there were certain parts of the city one doesn’t ven