Race and Culture
Culinary professionals eat up discussion on food and civil rights
The relationship between food and civil rights goes much deeper than sit-ins at lunch counters or bake sales that funded boycotts. A discussion about the intersection between the two was the main dish at a conference in Birmingham last month.
Black farmers’ land leases are vanishing. Some say racist policies are to blame
Black farmers and their families once owned and worked on thousands of acres of land in Louisiana’s Iberia Parish. The land has shrunk over the last several decades, and some, like Eddie Lewis III, say it stems from racist policies.
Why Black teens are getting vaccinated at higher rates than white teens across the South
Data acquired from health departments across the Gulf South show that among 12 to 17 year olds, Black teenagers are getting vaccinated at roughly one and a half times the rate of white teenagers.
Birmingham hosts the Morehouse Tuskegee Classic for the first time
The oldest football rivalry among historically black colleges has made its way to Birmingham. Tuskegee University and Morehouse College will have their first game in the Magic City.
20 Years After 9/11, Leader With The Birmingham Islamic Society Says Progress Is ‘Miniscule’
Many will reflect on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks this weekend. But for members of the Muslim community, that event brings on a complicated set of emotions.
Birmingham Public Library Honors Civil Rights Leader Shelly Millender Jr.
The Board of Trustees at the Birmingham Public Library honored Shelly Millender Jr. who helped integrate the city’s libraries in 1963.
Echoes Of The Past As Overwhelmingly-White Mountain Brook Debates Diversity
This summer, passionate voices clashed over a teacher anti-bias training program in Mountain Brook City Schools. But the debate rests on uncomfortable history in this white pocket of racially diverse Jefferson County.
Hispanic Interest Coalition Of Alabama Founder Looks Back At Two Decades Of Leadership
Isabel Rubio founded HICA more than 20 years ago in an effort to assist Latinos who migrate to the state. She'll step down as CEO at the end of the year.
In The Birthplace Of The Civil Rights Movement, What Changed In The Year Since George Floyd’s Murder?
The death of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement sparked police reform efforts and organizing all over the country. But in the birthplace of the civil rights movement, there hasn’t been as much action.
Birmingham Activists Remember George Floyd One Year After His Death
Those who gathered at a vigil Tuesday evening remembered Floyd and other Black people who died at the hands of police. They also called for police reform.
Low Likelihood of Matched Bone Marrow Donors Amongst African Americans
When patients with certain blood cancers are looking for a cure, their options begin with finding a bone marrow match. But for African Americans, bone marrow matches are much harder to find.
‘When Buses Were A-Comin’: Remembering The Freedom Riders 60 Years On
A group of young civil rights activists began their journey to the South to challenge segregation on interstate buses in May 1961. The riders were taunted and beaten by white mobs – and jailed. Participants of the movement share what their fight means now.
Calls Continue Urging President Biden To Honor ‘Drum Major for Justice,’ Fred Gray Sr.
Fred Gray Sr. led landmark cases representing Black activists like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Now, many believe it’s time to award Gray with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Lawmakers Continue Debating Controversial Anti-Riot Bill
The sponsor of the bill says it would protect first responders from being attacked at tumultuous protests. But the measure has been a sore spot for state Democrats and others who fear the bill’s language is too vague, and that it'll only serve to criminalize peaceful protests.
Remembering Homewood Resident And Civil Rights Activist Eileen Walbert
Eileen Walbert died last month at the age of 100. She was heavily involved in school desegregation and led a group of white people during a voting rights march in Selma the day before Bloody Sunday.
Lady Justice Is Not Wearing A Blindfold
In Alabama, Blacks make up more than half of the state's inmate population. Some law professionals say racial bias spans from over policing of Black neighborhoods to criminal sentencing.
Remembering Sheila Washington, Who Brought Honor To The Scottsboro Boys
Alabama native, Sheila Washington has died. For several decades she overcame a series of obstacles to tell the story of the Scottsboro Boys -- nine young African-American males falsely accused of rape by two white women in 1931.
Uneven Vaccine Rollout Threatens To Leave Black Communities Behind
An NPR analysis of COVID-19 vaccination sites around the country found that access is uneven in cities across the South.
Alabama Struggling With Racial Disparities In Child Poverty Levels, Report Says
Children of color will make up the majority of the child population and the majority of the workforce in Alabama by 2030, according to the 2020 Alabama Kids Count report.
Dogs, Firehoses Were A Precursor To Today’s Violent Protests
“You will never be Christ, but that doesn’t mean that you stop pursuing that Christ-like behavior. What we have to do is be in relentless pursuit of having a positive relationship with the community we serve," said Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith.
‘Unjustifiable’ Sheds Light On An Overlooked Alabama Police Killing
The podcast from Reckon South digs into the case of Bonita Carter, a 20-year-old Black woman, who was shot and killed outside of a convenience store in 1979.
Efforts to Keep Jones In U.S. Senate Sets New Records
The effort to re-elect U.S. Senator Doug Jones fell short. However, organizers say Black women, who were credited with helping him win the seat in 2017, are preparing for the future.
‘History Of Us’ Course Introduces Students To Their Ancestors And The Role Of Race In America’s History
'History of Us' is touted as the first Black history course of its kind taught in the Tuscaloosa public school system. The course asks students to be historians by researching major themes in Black history and framing those themes locally.
Vestavia Hills Board of Ed. Stands By Rebel Name
There's another effort to remove the Rebel name from Vestavia Hills High School but leaders say the name has a new meaning.
Activists Make Hoover Their Focal Point For Protests
Months after the police killing of George Floyd, activists in Alabama continue to protest. One group is focusing its efforts on the city of Hoover.
Health Care Disparities: Being The Target Of Racism Can Make You Physically Sick, Research Shows
The American Academy of Pediatrics has found that racial discrimination against Black children and youth can affect their health.
UAB Researchers Create Culturally-Based Protocol For Palliative Care
Ronit Elk led the study for the new protocol, after noticing the lack of respect for cultural differences for the nation’s sickest minority patients.
Researcher Finds Emojis Still Lack Diversity
Its World Emoji Day, a day to celebrate those little characters that help us express ourselves online. Emojis have come a long way, but how inclusive are they?
Civil Rights Foot Soldiers Optimistic About Black Lives Matter Movement
The civil unrest in America today looks a lot like protests held in the 60s, when Black Americans fought for equal rights. Foot Soldiers of that time say it's the same fight but they're hopeful change will come.
