Alright bamabrock, here you go:
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-25-most-dangerous-cities-in-america-2012-10?op=1
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mlj45jggj/5-birmingham-ala/
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-25-most-dangerous-cities-in-america.html?page=all
So, regardless of what site you go to, Birmingham is on it if it relates to violence. You don't want to call your neighborhood a "hood", I won't either. it's a nice neighborhood probably, but I don't consider it safe. Afterall, it's merely a few minutes from the worst section of town. A good friend lives in Crestwood, and even while visiting him, a guy tried tricking me into helping him cause he was "out of gas" but somehow left after I left... His house is literally two miles from Gate City Projects. I lived farther away from the Summit (which I lived close to the Summit!). I'm baffled at how gentrified this city is. It's extremely odd to be a part of. Mainly because the towns I've lived in up to this point have been very mixed: rich/poor black/white...
It's obvious to me, that people who have spent a long time here are blind to what is really going on here. How many people have gone into Brownville? Did you realize that people live in easy-up tents over there? Have horses in their front yards? These aren't black people either, they are white!
Growing up in Alabama, all I've ever heard about Birmingham was "civil rights"... but wow it's got more history than that! It's magic because it exploded within 30 years becoming a power house of industry. On the backs of whites AND blacks. The history of the mines are amazing to watch on youtube. I wish I knew of more to watch. Those 50+ years are so much more fascinating than the 10 years of civil rights that has been stamped on this city.
My aunt lived in East Lake for 40 years, from 40's to the 80's, my cousins graduated from Woodlawn. My aunt, uncle and grandfather are buried in Trussville across from the Pinnacle, went to the graves today and sat for a while. I've thoroughly enjoyed learning about birmingham, driven by my aunts old house a few times, even though it's now in one of the worst neighborhoods there is... I've also taken Matthew Lewis on a trip through Brownville to "see the sights"... and he took me to the non-white side of downtown and we had soul-food, which was AWESOME. As much as I've enjoyed the history experience... I'm ready to walk down the street in the evening and not be scared of what may lurk in a shadow. i realize there's no true safe place, but odds are not in your favor in the city of Birmingham.
When we all saw Matt's broken window this past weekend, we "weren't surprised".
It's weird to me, that the immediate suburbs are as safe as they are. HOW?! I suppose they really aren't? Birmingham is such a weird city.
Curious to hear everyone's thoughts. Mine all started when I started soaking up all the history I could about Red Mountain... that mountain is what created this city.