Buses may be Integrated, but Problems Plague Transit System
With yesterday’s 60th anniversary of the start of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute hosted a panel to mark Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white man. But the talk didn’t stay focused on history. It quickly turned to the present, particularly the problems plaguing Birmingham’s buses.
“Where are we? Have we made any gains?” wondered Ahmad Ward, vice president of education for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. “[We are] looking at access to transportation as a civil right.”
Ward told stories from his own family about how life without a car in Birmingham is difficult and exhausting.
The auditorium was packed with bus riders and community activists, and the panel discussion became an open forum for riders airing grievances. They told stories of hours-long commutes and buses that breakdown.
“Transportation is a quality of life issue,” Georgette Norman, the former director of the Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University, interjected. She explained that Montgomery faces many of the same issues as Birmingham. While the protests of the 50s and 60s integrated buses, parks, and schools, oppression and inequality remain, Norman said.
“Our reform has been superficialized,” Norman said. “We have to get back to the whole idea of human rights. Does it matter that I can walk into any restaurant sit down and be served if I don’t have the price of the meal?”
Or, Norman continued, does it matter if buses are integrated if they can’t get you anywhere? For these Birmingham residents the answer seems to be no.
Memory loss: As AI gobbles up chips, prices for devices may rise
Demand for memory chips currently exceeds supply and there's very little chance of that changing any time soon. More chips for AI means less available for other products such as computers and phones and that could drive up those prices too.
Brigitte Bardot, sex goddess of cinema, has died
Legendary screen siren and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot has died at age 91. The alluring former model starred in numerous movies, often playing the highly sexualized love interest.
For Ukrainians, a nuclear missile museum is a bitter reminder of what the country gave up
The Museum of Strategic Missile Forces tells the story of how Ukraine dismantled its nuclear weapons arsenal after independence in 1991. Today many Ukrainians believe that decision to give up nukes was a mistake.
Jeffrey R. Holland, next in line to lead Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dies at 85
Jeffrey R. Holland led the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a key governing body. He was next in line to become the church's president.
Winter storm brings heavy snow and ice to busy holiday travel weekend
A powerful winter storm is impacting parts of the U.S. with major snowfall, ice, and below zero wind chills. The conditions are disrupting holiday travel and could last through next week.
Disability rights advocate Bob Kafka dead at 79
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.
