Category Archives: Commentary

Imagine what happens if Birmingham comes together?

Posted on June 21, 2010 by | 1 comment

Birmingham Pledge muralA quick search of the Internet for the definition of “believe” brought me to one that I think fits quite appropriately in this case. The Merriam-Webster dictionary’s second definition for the word is “to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something.”

Those who pay attention to our local conversation may have noticed a new organization has entered the scene, adding its voice to the chorus of those who cheer Birmingham, Alabama on.

“I Believe in Birmingham” (IBIB) began as a group of citizens concerned about the planned commercial developments in Five Points South and Lakeview/Forest Park using Facebook to connect. I think Dan Monroe’s post on Cayenne Creative’s blog sums up the story to this point pretty well.

It has quickly filed for 501©3 status and hold weekly meetings to discuss their current areas of focus – which includes the proposed entertainment district adjacent to the BJCC complex.

We need people to continue to hold up ways to show pride for Birmingham, so the fact that people are gathering together to confront these issues head on is extremely important.

The part that gets me nervous about this new organization is the fact that it is the latest addition to a growing community of organizations and movements throughout the city – be it Catalyst, 101 Birmingham, Rotaract, etc. There are also legacy groups that would enjoy an infusion of new voices and interests, including the Birmingham Jaycees and the Birmingham Urban League.

I know that some of the members of these collectives and organizations overlap, making me wonder why the current vehicles for change aren’t used but new ones created.

The tag line that currently exists on their front page states that they “…exist to protect Birmingham’s treasures and invest them wisely for the future.”

That fits quite nicely into what many would consider to be an important part of the original mission statement for Main Street Birmingham. Working with that organization to help restore communities outside of greater downtown, both east and west of Interstate 65 would go a long way towards accomplishing that task while including a much broader collection of concerned citizens.

I currently serve as a city appointee to the Jefferson County Historical Commission. Among the things that we are allowed to do via the enabling legislation is purchase properties as a way to protect them (of course that requires money, but that’s another story). Assisting in our formation of a non-profit foundation to enable us to carry out more of our duties would also fit the meaning of the tag line quite nicely.

Perhaps the belief that the nation’s oldest ballpark should be restored to a state worthy of its place in American history may fit the bill. Rickwood Field recently hosted one of the largest crowds in years for the Rickwood Classic. Events are still planned for the rest of the year, most notably on the actual anniversary of the its opening day in August.

There’s a star that is still attached to the top of the Ramsay McCormack building in downtown Ensley. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places (even if its records aren’t available digitally). There are many that would rather see the building torn down and replaced, most likely with a suburban-style structure or one that does not dominate the city’s western skyline as much. When my job focused on that area of the city, I long hoped that that light burning again over the city signified a new beginning for the city – notably in the city’s most populated area. Perhaps that could become a focus at some point.

Looking just north of downtown, another star that continuously burned sits dark awaiting new life. Carraway Hospital and its distinctly urban complex holds the key to a resurgent north side of the city. Plans to bring portions of it back to life are worked on quietly though many need to be aware of the potential energy that it could bring to that part of the city – not to mention a broader variety of basic needs to those who live in that area.

I haven’t even pointed out the need to assist in dealing with the city’s food deserts.

I don’t expect any or all of these issues to become the clarion call for any organization immediately (if at all). What I do hope is that as we choose to believe in the future of Alabama’s largest city that we believe in ALL of it. I also hope we make sure that at the very least we work as hard as possible to ensure that we know about whatever needs our attention as a community.

I’m optimistic for our city’s future. As posted on FreeThinkBham last month, having pride in Alabama’s Magic City will be key, as will working together as one community to move it forward.

I’m looking forward to see just where IBIB’s movement takes them, and us. I also look forward to it being a much larger conversation than it is, hopefully.

What about you?

By the way, if you feel like it, share what makes you believe in Birmingham over on Magic City Question.

André Natta is bhamterminal.com’s stationmaster.

Photo: “Birmingham Pledge” mural. City Action Partnership.

1 Comment

Posted in Commentary

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Constantly interdependent

Posted on May 6, 2010 by | 1 comment

Magic City Art Connection (6 of 18)3.14 | 5.6.2010

There are much more online sources for information locally now than there was when this site started 3.14 years ago today.

Those numbers we shared via our Facebook and Twitter accounts back there in March should be making more sense now.

The recent conversations about the existence of an online news outlet have led several people to wonder (via email, chat and phone calls) what this website’s place is in the ecosystem.

I’d argue that as more voices continue to emerge, The Terminal’s role is easier to define for people than ever before.

We’re “micro local!”

That’s how Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) fellow Michele McLellan categorizes The Terminal in her list of promising local news sites. She’s compiled it as part of her research on the concept of community news sites and how they’re influencing civic engagement in an ever changing digital landscape.

This site was established to become a hub for Birmingham, AL though a better term to use nowadays may be a curator of what’s being said elsewhere.

Our news outlets are becoming more important than ever before, with each one, regardless of medium, being better at one area of interest more than anything else. The public is best served by the different perspectives each of these voices bring to any given topic, but currently we tend to stay within our own silos, not necessarily understanding the importance of truly “getting” the other side of the story.

The local opinion leaders, especially those that share their views online, also serve an important role in our city’s digital (and physical) information exchange. They help the media outlets see the city’s pulse, perhaps influencing how important an issue is to the general public.

I’d argue that several issues have received attention recently because of being the focus of blogs that are read by influential voices in the community. Here’s one of them – parking meters.

Local media realized the issue’s importance because of paying attention to all of its voices. The opinions helped continue to raise awareness.

Perhaps we view some of these stories as minutia now but it is always interesting how certain pieces eventually affect other broader issues in the region.

It’s been interesting attempting to pull together these various perspectives on computer screens across metro Birmingham. That’s what a curator’s job is – take different perspectives on an issue that currently exist out there and maybe get people to see just how they are intertwined. Every once in a while we get the chance to share an original story as well.

As The Terminal works to do this (and get better at it), it’s my hope that people realize that we need to be aware of all of the voices around us. If we’re successful people will know that the city can speak with one voice and know that it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s from one person.

Perhaps the use of the word conversation has been flawed as it relates to this journey of storytelling and awareness that we’ve been on. Engagement is the goal of most outlets, particularly knowing that the information that you’ve shared can potentially influence the revitalization or renaissance of a city like Birmingham.

The hope is that for every post shared about an event, new website or inconsequential point of interest people will pay attention to the other issues that will have an impact on their lives and feel the urge to either learn more or do something about it.

It is a lofty, perhaps insanely idealistic goal, but it is one that hopefully drives the intention of every person that hopes to share another piece of the ever emerging story of the city at the center of Jones Valley.

I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to be included in McLellan’s list of websites (and the operators I’ve been able to meet both virtually and in person) and am thankful for RJI’s allowing us to share this visitors survey with you.

I’m looking forward to seeing the results of the survey after RJI has completed tabulating them and figuring out just how to work to improve. They’re offering to help in that arena as well and I look forward to what the results will help The Terminal become.

I’d argue though that many of Birmingham’s sources for news and information have learned a lot from each other already – sort of the way an interdependent community should be.

André Natta is the stationmaster for bhamterminal.com.

Photo: Magic City Art Connection (6 of 18). Josh Self/Flickr.

1 Comment

Posted in Birmingham, Commentary

Tagged , , , , , ,

My recent brushes with wild speculation

Posted on March 22, 2010 by | 2 comments

While engaged in expanding Bhamwiki the last several days, I’ve had a rash of encounters with some of the wilder forms of speculation. The aim of Bhamwiki is to put forth the facts about any given subject, with the hope that doing so will give readers the means for drawing their own conclusions. What I’m itching to share here, in the form of a commentary, are the “facts” about the speculations themselves.

First, a tame example: Last October Patti Muldowney and her husband John, of Rapho Township, Pennsylvania voyaged on Royal Carribbean’s “Adventure of the Seas”. At their first port of call, they went on a snorkeling trip to a shipwreck. While her husband stayed on the launch, Patti snapped photos of the wreck and marine life with a disposable underwater camera.

In December, their friend Evette Dimm was flipping through the album, and that’s when pareidolia struck. She saw a human figure with a skull-like head half-buried in sand. The Muldowneys both had a “gut feeling” that they were looking at Mountain Brook High School graduate, Natalee Holloway , whose absence has become one of Aruba’s leading commercial exports since May 30, 2005. Early that morning Holloway was lured away from Carlos ‘N Charlie’s Cantina in Oranjestad by a 17-year-old boy for a long walk on the beach. She subsequently missed her flight home and hasn’t been seen since. Over the years several tourists have reported finding skeletal remains in and near Aruba. Most have been identified as shipwrecked sailors.

After showing an enlargement to other friends, their family doctor, and local police, the Muldowneys sent the photograph to the Philadelphia FBI office. When they didn’t hear back from the FBI, even after numerous calls to Quantico, the Muldowneys contacted the media — namely The Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal. Other outlets, including The Birmingham News and local television stations, quickly picked up on the “story”, and now Aruban authorities are sending divers to investigate.

Continue reading →

2 Comments

Posted in Commentary

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

The local music scene just took a detour

Posted on February 15, 2010 by | 3 comments

Scott Register referred to them as “The Uprising” during Sunday’s broadcast of Reg’s Coffee House on Live 100.5.

That would be the group of people on Facebook now numbering more than 16,000 that have  joined the Save Live 100.5 Facebook group since last Friday in an effort to save the station from a pending format change this week. I’m one of them.

It wasn’t necessarily your usual online campaign to save a local radio station either, considering the names of the people that lent their virtual voices to the cause this weekend.

The last song ever played by a human on the popular radio station (the video for Muse’s Uprising is over to your left) was a fitting tribute to that group and to all that have come before them in the battle for local radio stations with an independent voice and spirit. It may also become their battle cry as they work towards their ultimate goal regardless of the issue – having their voice heard.

“What happens next?” is a question that no doubt plays repeatedly in their minds even as they continue to make phone calls and send emails to the suits in Las Vegas hoping that Citadel will change their mind.

One thing for folks to keep in mind is the fact that as Reg said several times during yesterday’s broadcast, this group’s creation and actions “shook the foundation” of one of the nation’s largest media corporations.

If this group of 16,000+ can do that , imagine what it could do for Birmingham?

Imagine if this group became a rallying point for supporting the city’s music venues? What if it was the first step in creating a clearinghouse for information about publications sharing stories about different local musical acts around the metro area?

Imagine if they threw their support behind those businesses that once sponsored Live 100.5 and used it as a way to circumvent the current system (or possibly reward those who were willing to provide them just a taste of what they were looking for)?

They could even try to pool together the necessary resources to launch an online station of their own (or look to influence another station to give them another spot to congregate via terrestrial radio)?

That is the power that 16,000 people have when they’re focused on one issue, one goal.

It is quite possible that we may get to enjoy that diversity on Live 100.5 again. We should never say never.

I’ve seen several people online say that “the end of Live 100.5 will be the final nail in the coffin for the Birmingham music scene.”

That is one thing that I don’t believe. I’d argue that the attention that this modern day virtual protest has caused may very well be one of the first things to get folks re-engaged in the city’s music scene, so long as the movement doesn’t splinter into different segments. It’s a sad detour, but only a detour as the movement continues to grow and gain momentum.

This same force could be incredible as we hope to see more accomplished in the region than ever before. Perhaps it’s time to stop waiting for someone else to do something and do it ourselves.

As the song says:

They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
We will be victorious, so come on…

So let’s see where this movement takes us, in regards to music and life in The Magic City in general, before declaring all is lost.

André Natta is the stationmaster of bhamterminal.com.

3 Comments

Posted in Birmingham, Commentary

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A savior is not what Birmingham needs now

Posted on November 12, 2009 by | 3 comments

I’ve thought about it.

I think everybody in this city has thought about it these last two weeks, whether seriously or in jest.

“How would I do as a candidate for mayor of Birmingham?”

color bham skyline acnatta/bhamterminal.comI approach answering that question realizing that Birmingham’s looking for a savior right now. It hasn’t realized that it needs to save itself and not lay the challenge on any one person – with each resident taking a good, hard look inward to determine what needs to happen to move the community forward.

I mean, I believe that the city’s best days are ahead of us, but I don’t think they’ll ever happen so long as this extreme lack of confidence in Alabama’s Magic City that seems to ooze from the lips of many of its residents continues to be the brush used to paint that bright potential future.

“There’s nothing to do in the city.”

“There’s nothing happening in town.”

“The city’s moving forward in spite of it’s leadership.”

Maybe it’s time to sing the praises of what we do love in this city louder than ever before. Maybe instead of a savior, it needs a head coach.

I believe that we need to look for ways to encourage small businesses to fight back against the effects of the recession with laser-targeted short term economic development initiatives while identifying ways to provide resources, including proper training, to be ready to compete in a regional economy. It may even be nice to provide the resources necessary for organizations already in existence like Operation New Birmingham, Main Street Birmingham and the like to perform their services to the best of their ability instead of asking them to perform miracles and then heaping blame without asking how we can help achieve success.

I believe that we need to understand that a sustainable city means figuring out ways for communities to have the resources that they need within walking distance or a short drive instead of continuing to feed the monsters that include U.S. 280. It means that bike lanes and a functioning bus system need to be sought and encouraged. It also means identifying ways that people can come in and solve problems that government and locals don’t seem to want to solve on their own.

I believe that it means that a level of transparency and accountability need to be set not just for those that are seeking to hold the mayor’s office, but with those that need to hold that person accountable.

I think that it means telling the region needs to stop acting like it’s a network of kingdoms and become more cohesive about similar needs. That person needs to serve as a mediator to stop making it a battle about what’s going on between small towns five miles apart and lead efforts focused on regional cooperation and how it will benefit all in the long run.

If we were true to what we hear when we ask the question “What does Birmingham need?” we may actually pay attention to this upcoming race with the focus that it deserves and not vote for someone solely on popularity but on what they can truly achieve for our city.

Let’s not just elect someone, let’s elect the person who can actually explain what they will do even after the sound bite machines are turned off. They need to explain how they’ll lead a city that needs someone to coach a city out of its doldrums instead of saving it from what locals believe is pending oblivion and doom.

We still have a few more days to learn about who will throw their names into the mix for the chance to occupy the mayor’s office here in Birmingham, AL. We’ve also learned about two upcoming forums where you can try to glean what these folks truly stand for; one by the Jefferson County alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta on November 17 and the other to be held by Catalyst for Birmingham on December 1.

I’m hopeful that the residents of the city of Birmingham will take this rare opportunity to speak with everyone watching to demonstrate that they actually give a damn.

I know I’m not running, but I’d love to see everyone approach this election as if they were and then to dig and find out who best represents their ideals – and hold them accountable from day one.

André Natta is the stationmaster for bhamterminal.com.

3 Comments

Posted in Commentary, Election '09

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Popularity or purpose?

Posted on August 25, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Today people will visit the polls throughout Birmingham, AL to determine whether or not nine individuals that currently serve us as city councilors should be re-elected for another term or if new leaders are required. As reported yesterday on WBHM, it can be a little confusing when you see so many different signs lining the streets… but should that be the only measure of a candidate?

There has been extensive coverage of all of the candidates from numerous mainstream and alternative outlets. We’ve even had folks tell us we should or should not vote for. The idea of letting someone else decide for me seems a little insane, especially if all you’re going to do later on is complain about how it wasn’t your choice. Being the type of city that we are, while we may not know about a candidate’s position, we’re ready to have an excuse to party so we can start preparing for four years from now.

While bhamterminal.com probably did not help you decide who you need to vote for (as it’s never been our policy, despite some thinking and hoping otherwise), wouldn’t it make more sense to stop for a moment and decide whether or not you’re going to vote for a candidate because of what they believe and what you think they can do instead of whether or not you know them or just because you know their name? Can they speak on an issue that you believe in passionately or do they get confused between green building and green grocers? Do they try to ride one project to a re-election or do they give you new ideas about how their city can change for the better and what they’re willing to advocate for to help it get there?

Every election is described as the most important one ever, regardless of where you live and what’s at stake. I’d challenge you to watch or listen to today’s City Council meeting (or check it out later after it’s been archived). I’d challenge you do check out what you don’t like about any issues and think about just how it could be changed. When the polls close this evening at 7 p.m., I’d hope that a quick look at who currently represents you and their opponents just may move you to head to the polls.

Is it really about how many signs you have up along the streets, the number of folks who know your name or the capability of representing a city that desperately needs to lose its apathetic attitude when it comes to matters of importance or its future? Today will be yet another chapter in Birmingham’s search to find out which one they are more comfortable with.

André Natta is the stationmaster for bhamterminal.com.

Leave a comment

Posted in Commentary

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Where is the ethical line nowadays?

Posted on July 17, 2009 by | 1 comment

This post has nothing to do with the current state of our public officials here in Birmingham or the standards that we may be unrealistically attempting to hold them up to (at least, not yet).

It begins as a response to an ever growing debate on the blogosphere and the newsrooms, both physical and virtual, about what it is that the people want and if we as bloggers and mainstream media should give it to them.

The decision by TechCrunch to publish some of the documents that were stolen from Twitter has led some to want to cast stones about where “the line” is that should not be crossed.

Personally, I’m not quite sure that the line’s moved from where it was; I think we’ve just chosen to ignore it more often.

I do feel that we’ve become more accustomed to getting whatever we want whenever we want. This leads to voices becoming lost in the digital wilderness of finger pointing and innuendo. It is also not limited to the digitial world as we become frustrated with terrestrial radio stations and political representation – despite the fact that our choices have helped lead to what we’ve received, whether intentionally or not.

No one is immune from this, but it is possible to tone down the rhetoric just a little and see if we can’t get folks to think of solutions instead of dwelling on the doom and gloom.

Andrew Keen’s column in today’s Daily Telegraph about the situation, published while most of the metro Birmingham area was asleep in bed but just as our morning anchors started their days, said as much. According to a Tweet he sent out around 3 a.m., it cost him just a couple hundred followers. I’ll be interested in seeing what my comments cost me.

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Posted in Commentary

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,