Soledad O’Brien is Alabama’s Next Big Story

I hesitate to use the cliche “timing is everything.”  But, in describing CNN Special Correspondent Soledad O’Brien’s  7 p.m. address tonight at the University of Alabama, the matter of WHEN it is happening makes it a story.

For CNN, O’Brien’s address here comes four days before the worldwide premiere of the next “Black in America” documentary.    “Black in America:Silicon Valley, the New Promised Land” airs this Sunday, Nov. 13.

We are likely to see CNN Special Correspondent Soledad O'Brien build on some of the points from her latest book in tonight's address at University of Alabama.

For the University of Alabama, O’Brien’s visit falls in the same week as a statewide diversity enhancement conference involving administrators, faculty and staff from 12 of the state’s 14 colleges and universities.

Monday’s event was targeted at those responsible for such things as hiring faculty, allocating budgetary resources and improving the overall climate for diversity on our state’s campuses.

Tonight, our nearly 32,000 students will be the target of much of what we expect the former “Today Show” anchor and Harvard graduate to address in her talk entitled “Diversity: On TV, Behind the Scenes and In Our Lives.”

It’s been just over a year since the University of Alabama paid tribute to Autherine Lucy Foster, James Hood and the late Vivian Malone Jones, the three African-American students whose enrollment represented UA’s first steps toward desegregation.

We won’t soon forget the November 3, 2010 dedication of the Malone-Hood Plaza and Autherine Lucy Clock Tower.

But, across the country, Alabama’s been cast in somewhat of a negative spotlight the last few months because of HB 56, a law aimed at curbing illegal immigration in our state.   Governor Robert Bentley now says the law needs to be simplified.

As an Afro Cuban, Soledad O’Brien has brought authenticity to the discussion of the national debate over immigration reform.   Here in Tuscaloosa,  standing room only crowds gathered to discuss her 2008 documentary
“Latino in America”

While the numbers were much smaller for last month’s discussion of “Latino in America 2: In Her Corner,” the passion of the student panel of three Hispanic students who told their stories was just as strong as the central figures in the documentary.

Tonight’s much-anticipated visit by O’Brien allows us to the discussions about race and ethnicity outside of a single classroom and engage an entire campus, which itself has been mired in controversies that remind us that there is work to be done to promote the University as a welcoming environment for everyone.

Additionally, for journalists like myself who are charged with preparing the next generation of media practitioners, O’Brien will shine the light not only on the issues captured with her camera, but behind the camera to see the experience of the producers of these media messages.

It all happens just about 12 hours from now.

Five Reasons Why I Will Be Holding A Candle At Government Plaza Wednesday Night

Just last month was the first time I visited the new Government Plaza, the five-acre park behind Tuscaloosa City Hall, which will be the site of a Citywide Candlelight Vigil this Wednesday night.

The June 1st vigil, which begins at 8 p.m. is taking place five weeks to the day after the devastating April 27th tornado.

According to published reports, the vigil will be a time to remember those who were killed or injured in the storms, and a time to reflect on all that has happened since April 27.   The Office of Mayor Walt Maddox is organizing the event.

The last time I held a candle at an event would have been at the Christmas Eve services last December 24th back home at First Baptist Church in Richmond, Va.

Little did I know then that 41 people would lose their lives in a tornado that would plow through the city of Tuscaloosa where I work.   On December 24th, I celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.    On Wednesday I’ll be celebrating and mourning at the same time.

I’m sure I’ll shed a tear. It’s hard not to when you think about what’s happened and what’s ahead.  But, I’ve noted FIVE REASONS why I’ll be there with the rest of Tuscaloosa:

1. Reason #1: Celebrate the Resilience of a Community

When we light up that plaza with our candles on Wednesday night, the collective glow will represent the resilience that we as a community have as we set ourselves up for the months and years of recovery.  We are positioning ourselves to be used and the light of those candles will illuminate our way as we journey down that path TOGETHER as a community.

2. Reason #2: Mourn Our Lost Loved Lost Ones

I hate that it took the April 27th tornado for me to get to know people like Marcus Smith, a University of Alabama student from my hometown who lost his life in the storm. This Wednesday, we mourn his loss and the other more than three dozen of our neighbors who are no longer with us.

3. Reason #3: Unify Our community

Recovering from the April 27th tornado will take many, many years and the efforts of those who come from all walks of life and all aspects of our community.

Those of at the University will have to partner with so many from places near and far.  But, it’s our unity that will make this happen. There won’t be the “I’s” and the “You’s,” but the “WE’s” who will get this done.

4. Reason #4: Remember the Call to Help the Least of These

As noted in an earlier post today, the frustrations of those who could least afford to lose their homes weigh heavily on us as a community.  Where will they go when the shelters close?  We will lift a candle on Wednesday night to light the way for them and say that we care and will be there for them individually and collectively.

5. Reason #5: Pray for Our Leaders, Other Communities

I sincerely hope those leading this event will remember the importance of us corporately remaining in a posture of prayer for Mayor Walt Maddox, Governor Robert Bentley, Police Chief Steve Anderson,  FEMA Chief Craig Fugate and all of those, by virtue of their positions in government, are charged with providing leadership through the recovery.

We cannot forget to collectively pray for other Alabama communities such as Pratt City, Cullman, Hackleburg  and outside our state, Ringgold, Ga. and Joplin, Missouri.  These areas will be rebuilding even as we rebuild here.

They suffered a loss of life too.  Our candles symbolize our collective resolve that we as not only Tuscaloosa residents, but also Americans have as we look forward, as we make our respective communities better than they were before the tornadoes.

Alabamians Pause for Day of Prayer, Look for Way to Worship

This Sunday morning not only marks the beginning of a new month.  Four days after a tornado swept away many of Alabama’s communities, it’s a new day for dozens of Alabama’s churches where parishioners will be saying more prayers than usual today.

Gov. Robert Bentley

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has proclaimed May 1, 2011 a Day of Prayer for entire state.  Perhaps no place will those prayers be especially poignant than in churches in cities of Cullman and Tuscaloosa.

Cullman Churches All Impacted

Last week, ABC News’ Steve Osunsami visited four churches in Cullman that were all heavily damaged or destroyed in Wednesday’s tornadoes.

Eastside Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Cullman and Christ Lutheran Church were all affected by the storm.

As Osunsami reported, church services won’t be taking place at those churches.

But, I’m sure those parishioners in Cullman will find a way to worship somewhere on this May 1st.

Osunsami noted Cullman was the place where “God did not spare his own house.”

Two Tuscaloosa Churches Move in Together

Here in Tuscaloosa, the West Highland Missionary Baptist Church, which before Wednesday afternoon was located at 628 29th Street,  was also destroyed.

Today, members of West Highland Baptist will hold their services at our church, Cornerstone Full Gospel Baptist Church, which the tornado missed by ONE BLOCK.

Both of these churches will be worshipping and holding weekly events in the same quarters for at least the next few weeks and months.

It’s not only a new month, but a new day for these two congregations who realize their call to pray and worship is as strong on May 1st after the storm as it was just a week ago before a tornado changed our community forever.

I’m happy to be among those Cornerstone members who will be welcoming our friends at West Highland to our quarters on University Place & Brooksdale Drive.

There is a Downside to Robert Bentley Becoming Governor

Most of us who live in Tuscaloosa were elated that one of our own took the Alabama Governor’s Mansion as Robert Bentley won the top spot in defeating Democrat Ron Sparks last November.

Now a week into his administration, Bentley becoming governor is looking not as great as I thought, at least if I were to be selfish.

I’m realizing there IS a downside to having a hometown hero running our state–  he takes OTHER hometown heroes with him to Montgomery.

Losing A GREAT Weatherman

Friday we learned that Jon Mason, an outstanding meteorologist who knows Tuscaloosa and has done so much for WVUA-TV now twice  is leaving those of us at the University of Alabama  to become the director of the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

After former WVUA-TV meteorologist Wes Wyatt was hired away by another Birmingham area television station last year, I was excited to see Jon return to a position he once held a few years ago.

As The Tuscaloosa News reported Friday, Jon will join his wife, another WVUA alumna, Rebekah Caldwell Mason,who has already survived her first public relations crisis as Dr. Bentley’s press secretary.    Both Jon and Rebekah own a local marketing firm, Caldwell Mason Marketing, here in Tuscaloosa.

Surviving A Crisis

Hours after his inauguration, Bentley made national headlines for comments he made about his faith and connection to other Christian brethren during his prayer breakfast on Monday.

A meeting with Jewish leaders and a few press statements later, it appears all has been forgiven.  But,  Rebekah Caldwell Mason had to manage the situation very carefully.

The irony in the crisis is that it spotlights the importance of FAITH and RELIGION not only to Governor Bentley, a deacon at First Baptist Church here in Tuscaloosa, but also to the media in looking for a good story.

Jon Mason will be wading into those faith and religion waters as he reportedly will oversee a staff of 11 in the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

I suspect Jon will be making some of his own headlines with some of his efforts in this new role.  But, that doesn’t take the sting out of losing him on the air here in Tuscaloosa and North Central Alabama, especially as we have a few more weeks of winter weather ahead.

BE HAPPY ?

I guess I should be happy that we have highly-qualified professionals like Rebekah and Jon, who can represent our city well as they take on leadership for an entire state.

As Tuscaloosa residents, we have to think of Dr. Bentley, Rebecca Jon and other folks from our city as being ON LOAN to all of Alabama, for four years (or maybe longer).

We know they’ll be home soon.

Did the First Alabama gubernatorial debate cement your Nov. 2 voting decision?

After much hype and excitement here on the University of Alabama campus last week about us hosting the first gubernatorial debate,  I was very underwhelmed and unimpressed by what I heard from the candidates themselves.

While my journalism students tweeted away and wrote updates about the big event at Moody Concert Hall,  I sat watching the actual comments of the candidates and waited to hear substance, specifics and a real reason to vote for one candidate or the other.

Instead, I was left with confusion.   I don’t REALLY know why one candidate just rubs me the wrong way and the other has so many positions with which I fundamentally disagree.

Later this week, Alabama Public Radio and WVUA-TV are going to provide some programs to feature what others in the audience watching the Tuscaloosa debate thought about the candidates’ positions.

This entire election cycle in Alabama has been a little weird as I thought a lot of the issues have not been quite at the forefront.   Some of the statewide candidates have been unimpressive.

When the results of  the primary elections were finally decided this summer, I thought I had a candidate for whom I could vote.  Now, as the general election nears, I’m not so sure.

Guess I will have to make the trip to Auburn for the October 19th debate to help me make up my mind.

For now, I’ll be visiting the Ron Sparks Web site and the Robert Bentley Web site to research their positions a little further.

NPR’s Debbie Elliott Prepares for Lights, Camera At Alabama Debate Tonight

NPR National Correspondent Debbie Elliott spoke to broadcast news students Thursday hours before she is set to moderate the first debate between Alabama's two gubernatorial candidates.

Hours before she is set to query the two men who want to be Alabama’s next governor, Debbie Elliott stopped by one University of Alabama class to give students some pointers  on how to query elected officials.

“Don’t ever be intimidated because they’re just people,” she said.

While she encouraged the students not to be intimidated by the politicians, she admitted she is not used to the lights and cameras that will be pointed at her tonight as the Alabama and nation watches the first gubernatorial debate featuring Republican Robert Bentley and Democrat Ron Sparks.

The debate to be held at University of Alabama’s Moody Music Building,  will be televised live on Alabama Public Television and Alabama Public Radio. C-SPAN will also pick up the live feed and share it with viewers around the nation.

“I don’t do television. So it should be very interesting,” said Elliott, who arrived back in Tuscaloosa last night.  Now an NPR National correspondent based in South Alabama, Elliott was the news director at Alabama Public Radio.

Even as she’s produced numerous stories about the Gulf Oil spill and other events in Alabama,  the former anchor of NPR’s Weekend All Things Considered is looking forward to tonight’s event.

“It will be good to get them on the record on the issues,” she said.

Getting lawmakers on the record is what Elliott does best.    Before moving back to Alabama, she covered Capitol Hill for NPR.

Her alma mater included a short feature about her experience covering politics on the debate web site.

She covered the Alabama legislature right out of college.

Tonight’s debate is the first of two such meetings of the men who want to succeed Bob Riley in the governor’s mansion. The second debate will be at 7 p.m., Oct. 19 at Auburn University.  At both schools, the student government associations have taken the lead in gathering questions and organizing the events along with the League of Women Voters of Alabama.