Birmingham’s been called the ‘city of perpetual promise.’
But that potential seems to elude us.
Destiny, however, has dealt us a hand and it’s up to us to grab it.
If we want to make our mark on the world then we must identify how we’re unique and how we can exploit that uniqueness. Continue reading Time for Birmingham to embrace our civil rights past
I’ve never met William Muhammad, the newly reappointed member of the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB)—so I’m unable to comment on his character.
However, I’ve known Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington for many years and can strongly testify that he’s not a racist.
In fact, Commissioner Carrington is a poster child for ‘inclusiveness.’
Okay, I should have titled this column, “How Trussville, Adamsville, Hueytown, and Pleasant Grove mucked up Birmingham’s future.”
I’m repeatedly surprised by the animosity between our suburbs and the City of Birmingham.
The lack of trust between our City and its suburbs continually plays havoc with our progress. Continue reading How Trussville mucked up Birmingham’s future
Week after week I read comments on al.com and on social media blaming Birmingham’s misfortunes on black politicians.
They infer Birmingham would be a better city if whites were in control.
Recently ComebackTown published a piece on efforts to designate our Civil Rights District as a new National Historic Park.
I immediately received a tweet, “Aren’t you embarrassed by what black people have done to Birmingham once they took COMPLETE political control of the city?” Continue reading Are black politicians what’s wrong with Birmingham?
Last year who would have predicted that Donald Trump might win the Republican Primary?
Last year who would have thought that Bernie Sanders would still be giving Hillary Clinton heartburn?
People have become so unhappy with the status quo that they are willing to vote for outsiders and non-traditional candidates.
It’s become totally impossible to predict elections and that may be true for Birmingham also.
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Maury Shevin. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
There are two Birminghams.
At least two.
The historical reason for our two Birminghams is known to most of us. Our history of racial segregation and economic colonialism is pretty widely known. The result of Birmingham operating under those conditions for nearly all of its first 100 years, has left people of good intentions trying to overcome a terrible legacy–a legacy of unprincipled abuse leads to a world of fear and doubt and mistrust.
How can any white man, in a suit, be trusted? Continue reading Why a divided Birmingham can’t survive
Surprisingly Awesome is my favorite podcast. Each episode explores topics that would put most people to sleep, but the show makes boring topics interesting and fun.
Subjects like pigeons, mold, or concrete become fascinating.
Birmingham, Alabama would be the perfect topic for the show.
Birmingham may sound boring—but Birmingham is Surprisingly Awesome. Continue reading Birmingham is surprisingly awesome
If you want to measure the financial vitality of a region–look at job growth.
Our Birmingham seven county metropolitan area* has fewer people employed today than in 2007.
That’s nearly a decade with a net loss of jobs.
Nashville, Charlotte, and Austin have had double digit increases.
According to the Birmingham Business Journal, (Metropolitan) “Birmingham is down about 19,100 jobs from its pre-recession peak.”
Much of the blame belongs to our racial divide–provoked by our fragmented government structure.
Angry blacks rail against white government Continue reading When white people tell black people what to do
I recently wrote a piece, “Birmingham punished for being in Alabama,” where I pointed out that job growth in Birmingham and around the state has been relatively flat while other cities in the South are flourishing.
Our Birmingham-Hoover seven county metropolitan area has fewer people working now than we did at the beginning of the recession.
I regularly blame Birmingham’s lack of job growth on too many competing governments, but being located in Alabama is not a positive. Continue reading Alabama: A great State unless you are black, gay, or Hispanic
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