The objective of ComebackTown is to create a conversation on a “better Birmingham.” We focus on what’s great about our region, but it’s important to identify our shortcomings.
Many are quick to blame our politicians or corporate leadership, but the root cause of our frailties is poor government structure.
Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.
Today’s guest blogger is Amanda Weil Sokol. (We love when young professionals are guest bloggers)
“Once Dying, Birmingham Suddenly Hot,” was the title of an Associated Press story that appeared recently in the New York Times and other newspapers nationwide. The well-written piece, by longtime AP writer Jay Reeves, highlighted how far Birmingham has come since the turmoil-ridden days of the Civil Rights era.
It is a refreshing read. As someone who loves this “Magic City,” it is exciting Continue reading Montgomery girl has love affair
Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.
Today’s guest blogger is Donna Francavilla.
What will it take for Birmingham to remove the tarnish of a half-century ago?
Whenever images of Birmingham’s tumultuous past are flashed before viewers, the black and white footage and photographs of attacking police dogs, of fire hoses blasting teenage demonstrators, and peaceful protesters being hauled off to jail are shown. You’ve seen those indelible images repeatedly. They continue to stigmatize our community in the eyes of the nation and the world. Continue reading Warning: Blacks—be careful when moving to Birmingham
The primary objective of ComebackTown is to create a conversation on a “better Birmingham.”
We often talk about what’s great about our metro, but we also want to identify our shortcomings so we can begin to propose solutions.
Many are quick to blame our politicians or corporate leadership, but the root cause of our frailties is poor government structure. Continue reading Why Birmingham’s government is so screwed up
Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.
Today’s guest blogger is John Northrop.
If Birmingham is a “comeback town,” what do we want to come back to? Surely not the days and ways of Bull Conner. Nor of chain gang labor in coal mines. Nor as a mere colony in a 19th-century steel empire.
Birmingham’s “good old days” were better for some than others. The same can be said of Alabama as a whole. Continue reading How 155 white guys are ruining Alabama
Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.
Today’s guest blogger is Maury Shevin, a Birmingham native.
Remember, “One for all! All for one!! Every man for himself!!!” I do and if you are of a certain age, then you do too. It is a line made famous by the infamous Three Stooges. And, boy, doesn’t it now relate to our community? Continue reading Metro Birmingham mimics Three Stooges
Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.
Today’s guest blogger is Laura Kate Whitney, a young professional.
Birmingham is two separate cities.
One Birmingham is full of hope and energy. She’s a half-full kind of gal. She doesn’t play with the naysayers, and she also doesn’t let those with a negative view of her community slow her down. She breeds creativity, innovation; she represents a new generation of Birmingham, a 21st century population, one diverse racially, culturally, and socioeconomically. She prefers to focus on the future rather than the past. Continue reading Laura Kate Whitney: Where’s Birmingham headed?
Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on creating better government for our region.
Today’s guest blogger is V.J Graffeo, a young professional.
I’m a Birmingham homer. I drink the Magic City Kool-Aid in such excess that I am often blind to our blemishes, dreaming that perhaps that just one day, we will transform into an “it” city. Continue reading VJ Graffeo dreams of Birmingham being an “it” city
Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on creating a better government for our region.
Today’s guest blogger is Willie Chriesman.
The city of Birmingham has come up with a name for its observations of the landmark events of the Civil Rights Movement that took place here in 1963. But you have to wonder if “50 Years Forward” is more descriptive of the last half-century or more aspirational for the decades to come. Continue reading Should we celebrate Birmingham’s 50th civil rights anniversary?
Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on creating better government for metro Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Scotty Colson.
When the School Board went to an elected board is when my family pretty much gave up on quality changes in our system. At that time I asked anyone who would listen how adding 9 more politicians did anything to make our system better. Since then we have seen an exodus from our schools and a consistent descent into failure culminated in recent events. Continue reading A modest idea to end balkanization of Birmingham School System