Commentary
Y’all Talk: Submission Guidelines for Commentary
Interested in submitting a commentary to WBHM? Email Gigi Douban at gigi@wbhm.org or Michael Krall at michael@wbhm.org for more information. Through our new occasional commentary series, “Y’all Talk,” WBHM seeks to broaden our listeners’ perspectives on news and the arts by including voices of the community. What makes for a good Y’all Talk commentary? For WBHM’s purposes, […]
Commentary: Not Easy to Find “Home” with Birmingham’s Redlining History
In the 1930’s, the Federal Housing Authority practiced "redlining," denying services to people in certain areas based on racial or ethnic makeup. This mostly discriminated against black, inner city neighborhoods. In Alabama, Birmingham was no exception. The echoes of redlining can still be heard today, especially when young black families start house shopping. In this commentary, young adult author and WBHM staffer Randi Revill shares her thoughts on searching for home among Birmingham’s silent but ongoing racial division. Revill's first novel, "Into White," comes out this Fall.
Commentary: The Steel City’s Spice via Bicycle
When commentator John Houser lived in Indianapolis, the city built a bike and pedestrian path weaving through the city’s downtown cultural districts. After trying bike commuting for just a few months, he sold his car — transforming his commute from a stressful ride on city streets into a leisurely jaunt past parks, public art, and along a downtown canal. […]
Commentary: How Politicians Send The Wrong Message To Alabama’s Teachers
Education is a hot topic for politicians in Alabama. This year we saw intense debates in the Legislature around Alabama's College & Career Ready Standards and the state's education budget, including pay raises for teachers. Commentator and rural education advocate Larry Lee thinks all the political rhetoric sends the wrong message to Alabama teachers. In this commentary, he says it can hurt morale, and even drive qualified educators out of state.
What Makes Good Teaching? Straight From The Classroom, A Play-By-Play
In some ways, teaching is like sports: there’s a lot that’s unseen by the untrained eye. That’s one reason post-game analysis is popular. So why not do that for something vital to our future? Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen used to be a teacher and a teacher-trainer. As part of our series "What Makes Good Teaching," he offers a play-by-play from right here in Birmingham.
