9 responses so far ↓

• 1 Seems the airport’s new name’s OK, but the logo | The Terminal — Birmingham AL’s hub // Jul 16, 2008 at 3:20 pm

  [...] So, what do you think? (a.k.a. - blatant plug to go answer today’s Magic City Question) [...]

• 2 Dystopos // Jul 16, 2008 at 3:48 pm

  I think if there’s anyone worth honoring for their heroism on behalf of Birmingham, that Shuttlesworth has to be at the top of the list.

  I’m not sure why the airport is the obvious choice for that honor, and I REALLY don’t think the mayor should spend his time designing logos. If he wants to play on the computer, maybe someone should get him a copy of SimCity.

• 3 catherine // Jul 16, 2008 at 5:39 pm

  Since the 1940s, the airport has symbolized Birmingham’s economic and growth potential to the city’s leaders. They pushed for its expansion (which came at the expense of, among other things, leveling Daniel Payne College), believing the airport held the key to rivaling Atlanta as the best city in the South. The dominant philosophy of both white and black leaders was the power of the free enterprise system to change individual circumstances. Thus, through economic growth, all of Birmingham - black and white - would enjoy material, economic and social progress.

  Shuttlesworth had the exact opposite philosophy. In many ways, he and other African Americans in the leadership class had experienced material progress. They were middle class, but they were only middle class within the larger black community. Economic progress didn’t break down the boundaries, even for millionaire A.G. Gaston. Only through social justice could individuals advance.

  The institution that once held dreams of economic growth for white leaders now has a name to reflect an African American man who once told those guys, “y’all are busy making money; I’m busy making justice.” Once again, it symbolizes the city’s continuing quest to reconcile the battle for social equality with the belief in individual advancement.

• 4 logicala // Jul 17, 2008 at 12:48 am

  maybe it would have been an appropriate gesture to hold a city-wide survey to try to lure the populace into civic interest (since it would appear that city council and the mayor are not interested in what “the people” may want). on the other hand, most people probably don’t know or care one way or the other. i think folks down here get up in arms over change but no one wants to get out to advocate or argue, and i think the city has bigger issues than an airport name change. his name on it is just as good as any.

• 5 Charles Amos Horn // Jul 17, 2008 at 10:40 am

  I agree with logicala. civic involvement, much? Mr. Langford would probably just say something to the citizens involved like he said to the council “you have your agenda and i have mine”

  Naming the airport after Shuttlesworth is fine! Although it probably won’t always fit on tickets and be abbreviated some something like “Shutwrth” or “Shuttle” or “Shuttlewo”

  I just can’t believe Langford would do something out of honest reverence. This is another stunt like the “prayer rally” held at the Boutwell.

  Langford does things that are, superficially, difficult to argue with. How could you criticize him for naming something after a celebrated figure? what are you, a racist? it’s very similar to the logic used to sell the war on terror. How can you argue with fighting terrorists? The subtleties of the situation are lost and the person looks like a “hero.” At least, to some people.

  The logo looks like something from a second rate travel agency. Is it too much to ask our leaders to know when they don’t know how to do something?
  And do airports usually have logos, anyway?

• 6 Dystopos // Jul 17, 2008 at 5:31 pm

  They usually do have logos for their own use. Some do more marketing than others. One of the best is the five-hearts arranged to form a star used for Dallas’ Love Field. I don’t think it was designed by Mayor Thornton.

  http://www.dallas-lovefield.com/

• 7 mossgard // Jul 21, 2008 at 1:02 pm

  I’m just glad we’re changing the name to something besides Birmingham International Airport. I don’t care if they call it the Shuttlesworth’s Place Where Little Planes Land or Larry’s Landing Strip or even The Place Where You Catch A Ride To Atlanta So You Can Really Get Somewhere ….. just take out the “international” part.

  It’s embarrassing when friends land and say “I tried to get a direct flight from Mobile but I had to go to Dallas with a 2 hour lay-over first.

• 8 jacosis // Jul 23, 2008 at 11:09 pm

  Did anyone else see the Larry the Unstable Guy stomp out his cigarette on the street in the first couple frames of his little video today? Classy.

• 9 craig // Aug 25, 2008 at 10:05 am

  i don’t like renaming every bloomin’ thing after politicians.

  makes it harder to find your way around town and all the new signs are costly.

  just go to chicago or other big cities to see how difficult getting around becomes when streets are named after politicoes without rhyme or reason.

  no, downtown with numbered streets makes it much easier to get around.

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