Bearing Witness: Not So Crazy in Alabama

Carla Thompson
August Press, LLC (2005)
ISBN 0963572083
Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (2/06)

Freelance writer Carla Thompson’s memoir invites the reader into her life during her years in Alabama. The Harlem native completes her MFA in television production in Los Angeles. But working entry- level positions doesn’t pay her debts or keep her car running. Eventually, she joins her mother who has moved to Montgomery, Alabama, near their extended family.

Carla embarks on insightful forays into the oddities of human nature and beliefs. Carla delivers her commentary on being African- American with a number of expletives and biting wit. Often the contrast between her Harlem upbringing and Southern encounters evoke laughter. At other times, the contrasts generate distaste at the thoughtlessness and prejudices of others.

Her varied experiences range from finding a stylist to deal with her thick African-American hair to braving campus politics as a professor in higher education. She scrutinizes her southern relatives who can’t comprehend why she longs for New York. She bears witness to the differences between her Catholic faith and the worship attitudes in the Bible Belt. Despite her critical evaluation, she clearly loves the people and the complexities of the changing South.

Carla readily admits her flaws and blatantly points out the things that don’t make sense. Like why lighter black skin is better than dark black skin. Or, why organized religion has changed its perception of God. Or, why humans claim they want to improve but don’t make permanent changes.

Despite what I consider too many typos, I enjoyed my encounter with Carla’s honesty about important issues in her debut book. She delivers thought-provoking one-liners that bring a chuckle, but she also exposes meaningful truths like “God is a God of second chances” and “true redemption is possible.”

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