Birmingham Citizens’ Self-Inflicted Poverty
Blacks and other non-white people constitute 80 percent plus of the population of Birmingham. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all the others that fought for the vote must be asking themselves, “Why did I bust my butt and get myself killed for nothing?” The less than 8 percent that vote simply mark the all black square on the ballot. Those that do not vote actually are voting to uphold the status quo. This means that their choice (their vote) is to live in a city that is ranked in the bottom of most lists that measure and rank “quality of life issues”.
Are we citizens of Birmingham simply that stupid? Do we choose to live as though the Emancipation Proclamation, the Constitution, the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts never existed? Do the blood soaked rights of freedom, equality and justice for all mean that all people in Birmingham live at the same level? Do our political, social, economic and political leaders live as we do? Absolutely not! So what’s the difference? How did they escape the status quo?
“United we stand, divided we fall” a signer of the Declaration of Independence stated. Mayoral candidate Rev. Paul Holman pointed out that there is no “Unity in the Community”. This state of our city is by design and is implemented by the white plantation system. Those with the ways and means totally control our leaders. They live well so long as they do not disturb the system, i.e. the status quo. The latest issue that clearly illustrates this system was the demolition of UAB Football. How weak and spineless can we be? We own UAB yet we, or more specifically our leaders, allow one man, Paul Bryant, Jr. and the boys to control our University, our City and State!
Our leaders have allowed PBJ and the boys to destroy a billion dollar industry which we own! Our City, County and State are broke. Is this what Martin Luther King, Jr. died for?
This is morally and criminally wrong. Our leaders knowingly and willingly allow the crimes to happen. There are laws that allow the people to immediately take charge and remove those responsible. The 5th Amendment makes provision for a “citizens jury”. When our political system is failing, this group has subpoena power with firing and hiring authority.
The John Rogers chaired delegation knowingly and willingly allowed the destruction of UAB football! More importantly they have the power to reinstate the program immediately! The real losers are their constituents that live at or below the poverty level. Their psychopathic behavior warrants their immediate impeachment.
How stupid our city must look to the world. While we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and claim to champion all that it implies, we cannot deny our quality of life ranking.
Equally absurd is the insane destruction of UAB football. Birmingham and Legion Field are world renowned as the fanatical football capital of the world. How then do we explain having no comprehensive collegiate athletic program which includes football?
My prayers and sympathy go out to those that suffer the most. I also ask that God have mercy on those that live well on gain gotten from exploiting our criminal plantation system.
T C Cannon
Birmingham, AL 35233
