Category Archives: Alabama

A startling phone call from an Alabama segregationist governor

Michael D. Waters
Michael D. Waters

Today’s guest columnist is Michael D. Waters.

Less than one month after Fob James was first inaugurated Governor of Alabama in January 1979, I answered my home telephone on a Saturday afternoon and a friendly voice on the other side said:  “Hello, is this Mike Waters, the governor’s legal adviser?” Continue reading A startling phone call from an Alabama segregationist governor

Birmingham must take charge of its economic future

Daniel Coleman
Daniel Coleman

Today’s guest columnist is Daniel Coleman.

We must cultivate our own garden.”– Voltaire

If we want to address Birmingham’s growth issues, we need to take charge of our future.

Growth is in our control if we are willing to tend to it. We should not expect economic growth to come from somewhere else. Such growth is ephemeral. Continue reading Birmingham must take charge of its economic future

Even Nick Saban can’t fix this Alabama problem

Nick Saban, Head Football Coach at the University of Alabama
Nick Saban, Head Football Coach at the University of Alabama

By David Sher

Nick Saban has had a profound impact on the University of Alabama and our State.

The hiring of Coach Saban will likely go down as one of the best hiring decisions in college sports’ history. Continue reading Even Nick Saban can’t fix this Alabama problem

Terrified 82-year-old says Alabama uses tax dollars against her

Marva Douglas
Marva Douglas

Today’s guest columnist is Marva Douglas.

I was 12 years old in 1951.

Too young to vote.

But that really didn’t matter because even if I’d been an adult, I could not have voted.

Voting rights for Black people didn’t come until 1965 with the passage of the Voting Rights Act. Continue reading Terrified 82-year-old says Alabama uses tax dollars against her

It’s not too late for Alabama to save $100’s of millions and cut crime

Carla Crowder

Today’s guest columnist is Carla Crowder.

The State of Alabama suddenly has a lot of money.

Federal funds are pouring into the state and lawmakers are figuring out right now how to spend this windfall. This is taxpayer money; we should pay attention. Continue reading It’s not too late for Alabama to save $100’s of millions and cut crime

Life in prison can’t hold this Alabama man down

Jennifer L. Greer
Jennifer L. Greer

Today’s guest columnist is Jennifer L. Greer.

Think about the worst thing you have ever done. Does it define you?

No. And it doesn’t define Daoud Boone, a military vet, theatre major in college, aspiring poet/playwright, and an incarcerated Alabama man serving a life sentence — without parole. Continue reading Life in prison can’t hold this Alabama man down

Opportunity for young Alabama minorities to succeed

Charisse Stokes
Charisse Stokes

Today’s guest columnist is Charisse Stokes.

Since childhood, I’ve been surrounded by few females and minorities in my academic and work environments, unfortunately, that’s typical in the technology field.

Being ‘the only’ black female in the room has encouraged me to expose more women and minorities to tech and innovation fields. Continue reading Opportunity for young Alabama minorities to succeed

Imagine our future if Alabama leaders had vision

Memphis Vaughan

Today’s guest columnist is Memphis Vaughan.

Recently ComebackTown published a column on the  possibilities of a bullet train from Birmingham to Atlanta.

The response on social media was wildly positive.

Hundreds of commenters wanted to know why high speed rail and other visionary projects are dead on arrival in Alabama. Continue reading Imagine our future if Alabama leaders had vision