On October 4, 2024, Leah Rawls Atkins died. Besides being a competitive water skier in her younger years, Dr. Atkins was the first woman to earn a doctorate in history from Auburn University. She taught history at Auburn, Samford, and UAB. Dr. Atkins, with Dr. Wayne Flynt, wrote definitive histories on the State of Alabama that include a good understanding of Birmingham’s turbulent past. In my research of Birmingham’s history, I heavily relied on their work and appreciate their scholarship and love for our state.
Recently, several articles and op-eds have been written that depict the doom of Birmingham. Because of the record number of homicides in the city, there are those speculating that Birmingham has seen its best days. Listening to them, one might conclude it is best to dig a grave, create a headstone, and cover the grave of the city we love and care about. I am not of the opinion that we should take that posture.
Without going through the 153-year history of the City of Birmingham, there have been many incidents when speculators thought Birmingham was in its last days. We learn how to navigate negative situations. We mitigate problems by finding solutions, trusting our citizens to take nobler paths, and praying for common sense in how we live together as brothers and sisters.
As Christians, the Bible teaches us not to fall victim to the gloominess of bad press or situations. Initially, Good Friday did not appear to be good. The three-year ministry of Jesus was ending on a hill called Golgotha. After all the good Jesus had done, there was a determination to end His life on a cross. However, early Resurrection Sunday, the gloominess of Friday was transformed into a glorious, triumphant success story.
We must not allow the gloominess of a situation to sideline the possibilities for resurrection moments. We can transform what is happening in our community and cities by sharing Good News that can change behavior and cause people genuinely to love and care about each other. It can happen. It must happen. We must work to make it happen in the Magic City and beyond.
Amen
