by Cynthia Towers, ACB Convention Coordinator
Though Birmingham stands in the heart of the Deep South, it is not an Old South city. Founded in 1871 at the crossing of two railroad lines, the city blossomed through the early 1900s as it rapidly became the South’s foremost industrial center. Iron and steel production were a natural for Birmingham; underground lay abundant key ingredients — coal, iron ore and limestone. As an industry town, Birmingham suffered greatly during the Depression. After World War II the city grew moderately while retaining its strong Southern character.
The decades of the 1960s and early ‘70s brought events that would forever change the city’s image. This was the historic era of police dogs and fire hoses turned on civil rights demonstrators, of the bombed-out 16th Street Baptist Church. The city’s national reputation was near ruins. The horrors of the 1960s still haunt the city today and have turned a permanent global spotlight on race relations — good and bad — on Birmingham.
The opening of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in 1993 did much to heal the city from within and in the eyes of the nation more than any other single event. With the opening of the Institute, the city was able at last to tell its own story, and by telling, to soothe some of the wounds of the past.
Unlike some larger Southern cities that have chosen to trade soul for growth and development, Birmingham has retained its true Southern character; it has been said that Birmingham is the last major Southern city in America. “That is,” says one long-time resident, “because it is impossible for us to become like every place else.”
The American Council of the Blind will be proudly celebrating its 43rd annual convention in this most traditional, vibrant and friendly city. Where better to carry on our philosophy of civil rights for the blind and visually impaired than in a city so rich in its own struggles?
When you come to the convention, scheduled for July 3-10, 2004 at the Birmingham Sheraton, be prepared for warm weather. The average temperature is 91 degrees in July. But do not despair — you will be indoors most of the day, as the hotel is connected via a short walkway to the convention center. You will enter the convention center on the second floor, where the general sessions, exhibits and the ACB Café will all be in a row. Meetings will be held on either the first or third floor, accessible by elevators or escalators.
Each month I will feature one of Birmingham’s Off Beat Places. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the convention crowd, you can go to Soul Food at Pearl’s — ribs, fried whiting, turnip greens with ham hocks, fresh tomatoes, fried okra, squash, macaroni and cheese, pig ears, fried chicken, black-eyed peas, cornbread (no sugar), peach cobbler, pound cake and sweet potato pie. Enough said. I’ll include the address in the convention program, and since I arrive at convention a few days prior to when you all start checking in, I will do some exploration and conduct a taste test for you!! As if that were not enough, Birmingham is now home to one of the largest Krispy Kremes in the country as well as the largest in the area with 24-hour drive-through service. Let’s see if one of the tours is going that way — we may have to put in an order!!
Once again, the reservation number is (205) 324-5000. As 2004 is now one-twelfth over, I hope your New Year’s resolutions are still being practiced. One more resolution you need to make is to come to Birmingham this July to be a part of the largest and best consumer organization of blind people in the country. I hope to see you there.