The “Designated University Kid” on the Alabama Community that Raised him
Eric Motley grew up in a place where it would seem no one and everyone expected him to succeed. Madison Park, Alabama, is a small, African-American community on the outskirts of Montgomery founded by freed slaves. Motley was raised by his adoptive grandparents, and his memoir published last year is something of an ode to the town. He later went on to become a special assistant to President George W. Bush, and now he’s at the Aspen Institute, a Washington, DC-based think tank. Motley speaks Thursday evening at Samford University, his alma mater, and he spoke with WBHM’s Andrew Yeager about his book “Madison Park: A Place of Hope.”
Additional note: Samford University is a sponsor of WBHM programming. WBHM’s news and business departments operate separately.
Interview Highlights
On what is was like to be raised in Madison Park:
“Madison Park was a place where everyone knew their neighbor. It was a place where you were all tied in this single garment of destiny. What impacted you and your family impacted everyone else. For me it was an extension of family. It was an affirmation of self. It was an affirmation of who we were as a community, who we were as black people in America. It was an affirmation that life mattered and every life mattered.”
On being the “designated university kid” and surrounded by people pushing him to succeed:
“My grandparents who became my guardians after having adopted my mother felt that they had a special responsibility to be stewards of my promise and my future. And so they sought out people that they felt could encourage me and show me the way and help me to have opportunities that they were not afforded … I knew that the attention that I was getting was rather extraordinary. And I knew that their own desire for me to get a college education was rather exceptional as well. And so when you’re surrounded by people who are constantly affirming you, who are encouraging you to realize your potential, you develop this sense of purpose. And you develop this sense of responsibility and a sense of gratitude.”
On the pressure from the community to succeed:
“We frequently talk about peer pressure. If anything, this was positive pressure. I don’t think I recognized it was pressure. I recognized it as affirmation and trust. So if anything, I think it was inspiration; not pressure, but inspiration.”
International students in Alabama fearful after researcher with no political ties is detained
Alireza Doroudi has been detained in an immigration facility in Louisiana for nearly six weeks. Doroudi’s detention has instilled fear in the small Iranian community in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he and his fiancee are doctoral students
Why midwives are worried
In Chad, they're a key force in addressing the country's high rate of maternal mortality. But U.S. aid cuts have affected their salaries.
Times have changed — but the Rockettes keep kicking
Nearly 1,000 women from around the country flew to New York City to audition for the dance troupe on its 100th anniversary. What's helped it last so long?
Talk therapy is up, and use of psych meds without therapy is down, a study finds
A study from the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that psychotherapy is becoming more accessible to people. The study looks at trends in mental health treatment from 2018 to 2021.
With disability rights under attack, history offers hope and a possible playbook
Harvard researcher Ari Ne'eman says the policy shifts underway under the Trump administration pose a unique threat to people with disabilities, but that they've fought for rights before and won.
Why Israel plans to limit life-saving aid into Gaza. And, Diddy’s trial begins today
Israel's cabinet approved a plan to limit the way life-saving aid is distributed in Gaza. And, Diddy's trial begins today wth jury selection.