Category Archives: Guest columnist

Time to rid ourselves of outdated one-way streets downtown

David Fleming,, President &CEO of REV Birmingham
David Fleming,, President & CEO of REV Birmingham

Today’s guest columnist is David Fleming.

Birmingham was founded in 1871 – well before the invention of cars and certainly before they were common.

However, the city’s core was built to support many different modes of transportation, including streetcars, horse and buggies, and trains. Continue reading Time to rid ourselves of outdated one-way streets downtown →

A Birmingham gray history story–whites and blacks supporting one another

Liz Huntley & Kathryn McDonald
Liz Huntley & Kathryn McDonald

Today’s guest columnists are Liz Huntley and Kathryn McDonald.

The weather is warming up, and – admit it – you’re itching for a new dress, or tie, or pair of shoes.

You’ll probably head to the Summit.  Or maybe the Galleria. Continue reading A Birmingham gray history story–whites and blacks supporting one another →

Birmingham needs a Saban-like War Room

Tom Cosby
Tom Cosby

Today’s guest columnist is Tom Cosby.

They say that Coach Saban has a “War Room” next to his office in Tuscaloosa.

Much like the White House Situation Room that tracks worldwide threats to our nation, in this room Saban reportedly tracks all the top high school athletes nationwide; some even internationally. Continue reading Birmingham needs a Saban-like War Room →

A homicide prevention strategy that will work

Danny Carr, District Attorney
Danny Carr, District Attorney
Prim F. Escalona, U.S. Attorney
Prim F. Escalona, U.S. Attorney

Today’s guest columnists are Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr and U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.

Jefferson County has a murder problem.

Our murder problem is so prolifically deadly, that it even eclipses the annual homicide rate for the entire continent of Australia, a nation of more than 25 million people. Continue reading A homicide prevention strategy that will work →

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 →

Is metro Birmingham ready for regional governance?

Christopher Tyler Burks
Christopher Tyler Burks

Today’s guest columnist is Christopher Tyler Burks.

It seems to me that David Sher has done us all a great service by publishing ComebackTown.com.

While there is excellent coverage of regional issues across our media, this site has become the de facto beat reporter for discussions of regional cooperation in Greater Birmingham. Continue reading Is metro Birmingham ready for regional governance? →

White and black parents talked differently to their children

Mike Diccicco
Mike Diccicco

Today’s guest columnist is Mike Diccicco.

I’m a white guy that grew up in the 60’s in Birmingham. Moved there in 2nd grade, left after graduating high school in 1967.

During that whole time, I had one black friend, a kid named Jackie, same age as me, who lived in an old farmhouse a half-mile through the woods from our modest rancher on Lynn Acres Drive in Roebuck. Continue reading White and black parents talked differently to their children →

Are ‘Over-the-Mountain’ Caucasians welcome to Magic City Classic?

John Lyda
John Lyda

Today’s guest columnist is John Lyda.

I have always wanted to attend a Magic City Classic football game between the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and the Alabama State Hornets, the state of Alabama’s two largest historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Year after year I’d find myself once again allowing the Classic weekend to come and go, telling myself, “I’ll go next year”. Continue reading Are ‘Over-the-Mountain’ Caucasians welcome to Magic City Classic? →