This year was filled with harsh realities. The November election reaffirmed that America has not adequately confronted its racist and misogyny (sexist) tendencies. Birmingham saw over 138 homicides because of gun violence, including the murder of Eric Savoy Brown, who was gunned down on the …

“For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son … (John 3.16).” Love is more than words. Love must be shown, must be proven in consistent ways. Beginning with Adam and Eve, God showed God’s love for humanity. God never gave up …

November 1 is “All Saints’ Day,” a time to reflect on those who are no longer physically with us and enjoy eternal rest. I also believe it is a time to acknowledge, in gratitude, appreciation for the elders living among us. In 1864, William How …

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 …

Union General William T. Sherman issued Field Order 15 on January 16, 1865. It took a strip of coastland extending approximately thirty miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, stretching from Charleston, South Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida. The 400,000 acres were to be divided among newly …

Growing up in the South, one becomes accustomed to fall festivals and revivals. Typically, these events coincide with the harvesting of crops, especially cotton. After a good season, farmers celebrate with elaborate festivals and revival services. The revival services were held because many farmers and …

It’s difficult to prepare for the unexpected. Although we now know there were warning signs of a terrorist threat on 9/11, we were not prepared for the events of that day. Two planes flew into the Twin Towers. Another plane flew into the Pentagon. Passengers …

The Civil Rights District welcomed a commissioned mural. The mural is on the wall of the Citizens Express Pharmacy on 5th Avenue North. The pharmacy was originally owned by A.G. Gaston. Delmous Vance, Jr. purchased the pharmacy from Dr. Gaston in 1970. When Vance, Jr. …

I overheard a conversation that stated the Civil Rights Movement was violent but not as violent as incidents that are taking place in the Middle East. There may not be much benefit in comparing wounds from various battles. However, there is value in remembering the …

23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 …