Tag Archives: Birmingham

Poignant plea: Parents need marijuana for suffering kids

Dr. Sam Blakemore
Dr. Sam Blakemore

Today’s guest columnist is Sam Blakemore.

“Sam, I’m angry at God… that little girl is too precious for Him to do this to her.

She doesn’t deserve this; and I’m mad at God for doing this to her!”

I saw rage in her father’s eyes because Anna’s health was taking a turn for the worse. Continue reading Poignant plea: Parents need marijuana for suffering kids

Woman rocketed by experience growing up in Birmingham

Carol Edge
Carol Edge

Today’s guest columnist is Carol Edge.

Everyone knows the history, knows that Birmingham was aka the most segregated city in the nation, knows that Birmingham was aka Bombingham, and if they don’t know the litany of events in 1963 — well, they ought to.

American history is yoked to civil rights history. It’s what we’re founded on, what we have grandly succeeded at and dismally failed at. Continue reading Woman rocketed by experience growing up in Birmingham

Birmingham overcomes giant mud hole in middle of city to beat out Elyton

Melissa Young
Melissa Young

Today’s guest columnist is Melissa Young.

Elyton—once Jefferson County’s seat and a springboard of possibility—is now just a tiny blip on Birmingham’s historic radar.

Located in the Arlington-West End neighborhood, it’s the current home of Princeton Baptist Medical Center and local landmarks like Elmwood Cemetery and Arlington Historic Home and Gardens

 Few people know, however, that in 1870, Elyton was predicted to be the site of the state’s next economic miracle.  Continue reading Birmingham overcomes giant mud hole in middle of city to beat out Elyton

Our leaders are ready to make Birmingham great again

Birmingham Skyline viewed from Railroad Park: Drawing by Jane Ross Reed,janereedrossart.com
Birmingham Skyline viewed from Railroad Park: Watercolor by Jane Reed Ross, janereedrossart.com

By David Sher

I’m dumbfounded.

Dumbfounded ‘good’.

Not dumbfounded ‘bad’.

Our Birmingham region has struggled for growth and economic progress for decades, but a recent poll clearly screams that our influential community leaders have had enough and are ready for change. Continue reading Our leaders are ready to make Birmingham great again

The TV interview with a Birmingham doctor that changed my life

M
Mike Royer

Today’s guest columnist is Mike Royer.

I could tell you all about interviewing Jimmy Carter when he was running for President in 1976.

Or, the 20 minutes I spent interviewing President Bill Clinton right after he was first elected.

I think they’re pretty good stories and I’d be happy to tell you about the interviews sometime. Continue reading The TV interview with a Birmingham doctor that changed my life

White folks, no need for shame when shielded from truth as kids

Amos Townsend
Amos Townsend

Today’s guest columnist is Amos Townsend.

As a Black child growing up in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1960s, the information about the times I lived in were shaped around messaging from ministers, particularly those associated with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Black radio, and feedback from family members who lived outside the South.

I never had reason to wonder what was being reported, or more importantly not reported, in the dominant media of the times such as The Birmingham News or The Birmingham Post-Herald. Continue reading White folks, no need for shame when shielded from truth as kids

Downtown Birmingham was really cool when I was growing up

"Let's meet under the clock at Loveman's (Now McWane Center) when people wanted to meet downtown
“Let’s meet under the clock at Loveman’s” (Now McWane Science Center) where people used to meet when downtown

By David Sher

I grew up in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s and the number of contemporaries I can share my memories with is shrinking.

I feel compelled to tell my story of growing up in Birmingham—specifically downtown—because it was a unique time that young people today will find difficult to comprehend. Continue reading Downtown Birmingham was really cool when I was growing up

What a fragmented Birmingham can learn from the most fragmented city in the U.S.

Ron Blatman
Ron Blatman

Today’s guest columnist is Ron Blatman.

I know cities.

I write about cities.

 I produce documented series about making cities better places.

I’ve always been fascinated with Birmingham, Alabama and… Continue reading What a fragmented Birmingham can learn from the most fragmented city in the U.S.