My, how things have changed

MAY 5, 2011 — Sixty years ago, segregation was the common practice of the South as blacks and whites had different water fountains, sections of restaurants and school systems.

Fifty years ago, black families traveling in the South more than likely packed food to take on long car trips so they didn’t have to encounter segregationists or stop to find a restaurant that would serve them.

Then 40 years ago, integration arrived across much of the small-town South.

Scent of kerosene leaves mark

ALONG THE GULF COAST, June 7, 2010 – The hint of kerosene in the air on Mobile Bay served as an immediate reminder of the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Brack

It wasn’t an overpowering scent, but a faint fragrance similar to what you might smell a few minutes after spraying WD-40 on something.

Whatever happened to the South’s mules?

FEB. 8, 2010 — American photographer Walker Evans is remembered, in part, for his iconic Depression photographs of three poor, tenant farming families in Alabama in 1936. Published as part of the 1941 book, “Let us now praise famous men,” Evans piercing photographs portrayed barefoot children, their worn mothers and their tired, sunburned farmers with pained, pained eyes. …

Like the Dew

GREAT SITE: If you haven’t heard of LikeTheDew.com, it’s a great site of Southern politics and culture being provided by former reporters and friends of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  It has printed several recent columns of mine.  I always find something fun to read there.  Check it out.

Now is the time for courage

NOV. 20, 2009 — Now is the time in our state and nation for courage – – for leaders who will stand up for what’s right for the state and nation, regardless of how it will impact them personally. What do we have instead? Blowhards like Sarah Palin who are more interested in soundbites, making [...]