Category Archives: David Sher posts

The one solution that will propel Birmingham

February 24, 2015 David Sher Leave a comment

I’ve given scores of speeches about a better Birmingham.

At the beginning of my talk I always ask the same question: “Who thinks Birmingham has reached its potential?”

No one has ever raised a hand. Not one hand out of thousands of people.

How’s that possible?

Birmingham’s beautiful; our people are smart and generous—and we’re located in the heart of the South—the fastest growing region in the United States.

Some blame our lack of progress on race—some on poor leadership…but The Washington Post has laid it out for us.

Continue reading The one solution that will propel Birmingham →

David Sher posts

I hate the Magic City

February 17, 2015 David Sher 19 Comments

I like Birmingham, but I don’t like our nickname, ‘The Magic City.’

I like “The Magic City” for historical purposes, and I know that is what we call ourselves, but that name is not going to get us anywhere outside of Birmingham.

Those of us who live here know we’re ‘The Magic City.’ Outside of Alabama—not so much.

In fact, if you Google ‘Magic City,’ your first option will be an Atlanta adult entertainment night club. Continue reading I hate the Magic City →

Alabama Constitution, Corporate community, David Sher posts, Government structure, UAB

Birmingham at mercy of outside interests

February 10, 2015 David Sher 4 Comments

A sharecropper is someone who raises crops for the owner of a piece of land and is paid a portion of the money from the sale of the crops.

We in Birmingham have always been controlled by outside landlords.

Birmingham is the city of iron and steel and historically U.S. Steel controlled every aspect of our lives-politics, business, and people. U.S. Steel is headquartered in Pittsburgh and was for much of Birmingham’s history our largest employer. Birmingham’s labor was first to be laid off and last to be rehired. All decisions favored Pittsburgh over Birmingham, and of course, all profits were sent up north.

Fortunately, U.S. Steel is no longer our largest employer, but unfortunately we are still being impacted. February 5th, U.S. Steel announced it could lay off up to 1,840 workers here.

But even though we are not now totally dependent on U.S. Steel, we are still controlled by outsiders. Continue reading Birmingham at mercy of outside interests →

David Sher posts, Race relations

White man responds to black woman’s Birmingham childhood memories

February 3, 2015 David Sher 1 Comment

ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

Jerry Carter, wrote a piece in December titled, “Birmingham: The city of my youth makes a comeback.” RavenBarnes responded with “Birmingham of my youth–from a black perspective.” Now Mr. Carter answers Ms. Barnes.

If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

Most likely, each of us can reach back into our pasts and re-live certain things that formed our opinions and lifestyles. Continue reading White man responds to black woman’s Birmingham childhood memories →

David Sher posts, Government structure, Race relations

Rich folks & black politicians holding Birmingham down?

January 27, 2015 David Sher 9 Comments

Tanner Colby authored book, "Some of my best friends are black — Tanner Colby authored book, “Some of my best friends are black

Unfortunately I didn’t attend the Martin Luther King Unity Breakfast January 19^th, but immediately after Tanner Colby, the speaker, began his remarks, the texts and e-mails started coming—telling me I should have been there.

Since I did not hear the speech and have been unable to obtain a written transcript, I am basing my remarks on e-mails, texts, and comments from friends and from the article about the speech on al.com titled, “Tiny suburban kingdoms, desire for black power keep Birmingham from achieving MLK dream, author says.”

Tanner Colby, author of the book, “Some of my best friends are black,” spent five years living in Vestavia Hills before going off to college in 1993. Continue reading Rich folks & black politicians holding Birmingham down? →

David Sher posts

John Archibald got this one right

January 13, 2015 David Sher 1 Comment

John Archibald, columnist for the Birmingham News/al.com

I published a piece recently titled, John Archibald—a double standard. Some people, who probably didn’t read the piece thoroughly, thought it was an attack on Archibald. However, I said specifically that John is an excellent writer and journalist. Quite frankly, if I had 1% of John’s writing and investigative skills I would be a happy man.

Bottom line is that when you agree with Archibald—he’s Moses; when you disagree with him, he’s the devil. Continue reading John Archibald got this one right →

David Sher posts

John Archibald—a double standard

December 16, 2014 David Sher 17 Comments

Writing about John Archibald might be the riskiest and dumbest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but this piece is not really about Archibald.

I’m also going to write about UAB football, but this piece is not about UAB either.

As the title indicates, it’s about a double standard.

On September 30, 2012, Birmingham became the second largest city in America without a daily newspaper. The decision to cut back daily delivery of The Birmingham News was made by Advance Communications–its parent company, headquartered in New York. Continue reading John Archibald—a double standard →

David Sher posts, UAB

UAB beat Saban & 5 other things I learned from writing about the UAB football fiasco

December 8, 2014 David Sher 3 Comments

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

Yes, it’s true.

On September 23, 2000 the UAB Blazers beat LSU 13 to 10 and spoiled LSU’s homecoming. Nick Saban was the LSU Coach and Jimbo Fisher, now head coach at FSU, was an assistant.

I also learned…

It wasn’t just the termination of the UAB program that made folks angry, but how it was executed. There are a lot of good people who were hurt by the decision, but more importantly, there was a great deal of resentment because of the way it was handled (or not handled). Rumors swirled weeks before–then after the final game of the season the historic announcement was made. UAB students, employees, and donors felt they were lied to and betrayed. Continue reading UAB beat Saban & 5 other things I learned from writing about the UAB football fiasco →

David Sher posts, UAB

Ray Watts: A good man at the wrong place at the wrong time

December 4, 2014 David Sher 42 Comments

I am dumbfounded by the unfair personal attacks against Dr. Ray Watts and UAB’s decision to shut down football.

We say we want brave leaders who are willing to make unpopular decisions when it’s for the greater good—but that certainly is not how we are responding.

It appears almost everyone—student, public, and media—are unanimously dumping on Dr. Watts. These are the same folks who had the opportunity for years to support Blazer football, but were missing in action.

Continue reading Ray Watts: A good man at the wrong place at the wrong time →

David Sher posts, Government structure, Race relations

Time for our old Birmingham leadership to croak

December 2, 2014 David Sher 3 Comments

The above title is not my quote because I would be one of the “croakers,” but it’s something I hear from the younger generation regularly. Okay, they may not use the word, “croak,” but they say it’s time for our old leadership to step aside.

The next generation of Birmingham leaders does not understand our racial divide. They grew up in a different time and they see the possibilities and advantages of a common vision.

Steve Boswell, a young professional, in his guest blog characterized our older citizens and leaders as ‘doubters’—“a group who believe the racial divide has evolved into an immortal chasm that will not be bridged.” Continue reading Time for our old Birmingham leadership to croak →

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham