Capacity Crowd Turns Out For Vestavia Mascot Forum
An emotional issue across the South and the nation came to a head in Vestavia Hills last night — the debate over symbols related to the Confederacy. The school board held a public forum, partly spurred by residents who want the system to drop its “Rebel” mascot. Listen above or read below. Under the text, you can access audio of the entire meeting. To learn more and listen to analysis by Carsen and WBHM News Director Rachel Lindley, click here.
People gathered in the heat outside the Board of Education building hours before the 6 p.m. school board work session. One of them was Vestavia High graduate and parent Laurie Webster, a rebel mascot supporter:
“All we want is for the students to be respected enough to make the decision themselves,” she says, adding that Vestavia High School students, whom she calls intelligent and “well-versed,” should have the chance to vote on the matter.
“Respect the students” was a familiar refrain — many pro-mascot speakers ended their comments with those words. They also spoke of traditions, and said the mascot was not intended to be racist and isn’t seen that way now.
But speakers on the other side contradicted that, and added that some people — especially students — have kept quiet because they fear retribution.
Lisa Borden, the mother of two high-schoolers, says, “Both of my girls would very much like to have the Rebel mascot replaced. They’ve always been uncomfortable with it. And I certainly feel the same way. I just feel that you can’t divorce Colonel Reb from his history. You just can’t paint over that and pretend it’s not the case.”
Students, parents, and local leaders spoke for more than two hours addressing the crowd of almost two hundred after dozens had to be turned away. The Board plans to decide whether to keep the mascot by the end of the month.
Click below for the entire meeting:
Nonprofit erases millions in medical debt across Gulf South, says it’s ‘Band-Aid’ for real issue
Undue Medical Debt has paid off more than $299 million in medical debts in Alabama. Now, the nonprofit warns that the issue could soon get worse.
Roy Wood Jr. on his father, his son and his new book
Actor, comedian and writer Roy Wood Jr. is out with a new book -- "The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir." He writes about his experience growing up in Birmingham, losing his dad as a teenager and all the lessons he learned from various father figures throughout his career.
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
