Going Home to Birmingham, AL
My hometown of Birmingham, AL is a tale of multiple cities. It is hard to put into words describing the history of Birmingham. A city come to life during the Civil War Reconstruction Period built on the backs of cheap labor, non-unionized workers and 'freeish' Black people. It is called the Magic City, because it seemed to come from nowhere over night and into its workhorse mode of the industrial age producing steel.
It's also a place where segregation, annihilation, and fear caused the dehumanization of so many... but somehow the spirit of hope would always simmer under the surface. There is the good, the bad, the questionable, but always this underlying feeling of hope no matter what. Some are stuck in the grips of the past and never seeing beyond their own judgement to move forward. But there are those who brush the haters away and keep looking toward the future because they see this city is worth fighting for... because it is home.
In my case, I like to look at the brighter side of it all. The successes. The resilience. The joy. The community. And a place, no matter what, I will always refer to as home.
Read MoreIt's also a place where segregation, annihilation, and fear caused the dehumanization of so many... but somehow the spirit of hope would always simmer under the surface. There is the good, the bad, the questionable, but always this underlying feeling of hope no matter what. Some are stuck in the grips of the past and never seeing beyond their own judgement to move forward. But there are those who brush the haters away and keep looking toward the future because they see this city is worth fighting for... because it is home.
In my case, I like to look at the brighter side of it all. The successes. The resilience. The joy. The community. And a place, no matter what, I will always refer to as home.
