Roy S. Johnson

2 days ago | al.com | Roy S. Johnson

This is an opinion column. Of course, I know Crispus Attucks. You probably do, too. As the first to die in the Revolutionary War — at the Boston Massacre, on March 5, 1770, Attucks was the first of five felled by British soldiers that day — he is noted in most all of our history books. Heck, he might even survive Trump’s pitiful attempt to purge all things Black from every corner of America, including history books. Attucks defines “patriot.”However, I didn’t know, sadly, about Oliver Cromwell.

3 days ago | al.com | Roy S. Johnson

This is an opinion column. Tim Cook tried. He tried really hard. Tried deftly to stay on Donald Trump’s good side, such as it is. Tried to avoid the glare of a president who’ll gut you if you dare disagree. Who’ll sic the Department of his justice on you if you don’t waltz to his whims or nod approvingly at his nuttiness.

1 week ago | al.com | Roy S. Johnson

In a series of stories, AL.com will continue to explore big ideas for transforming Birmingham - ideas, programs and initiatives aimed at making the city stronger, more prosperous, better educated and safer than it is today. Michael Mouron loves Birmingham. He loves its historic architecture and in recent years, the CPA and real estate developer has restored several of the city’s faded and forgotten shells and leased them to now-thriving businesses and nonprofit organizations.

1 week ago | al.com | Roy S. Johnson

This is an opinion column. I’m not sure everything I’m about to say is exactly true. That’s an unusual disclosure for a journalist, I know. That’s what happens when someone’s life becomes almost mythical, when they become bigger than life. At least seemingly so. Frank Ward was always bigger—from the onset of our journey. He was my middle-school football coach and history teacher at Holland Hall High School in Tulsa. He was tall, military fit, befitting his years in the U.S. Air Force.

2 weeks ago | al.com | Roy S. Johnson

This is an opinion column. I appreciate silence, often crave it even. It is sometimes far easier to hear, assess and discern in silence. The antidote to the incessant cacophony of noises that threaten to distract, diminish or deter us rests in silence. Silence can even be the best response, the most judicious and effective response. It is always an option. Except when it shouldn’t be. Except when silence is not acceptable. Like when the people you care for are under attack and fearful.