White Reporter Found Birmingham's Rivalry Welcoming in 2015

Carla Jean Whitley said she felt 'extremely welcome' when she covered the Magic City Classic in 2015, despite noting she was one of the few white people at the parade and the football game at Legion Field.

Whitley, a former reporter who now works as a communications manager for a local corporation, was asked by AL.com to cover the annual face-off between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University. She accepted the assignment without hesitation, eager to experience the atmosphere of the event.

She recalled that while people seemed curious about her presence, they made a point to ensure she felt included. 'Glad you're here. I hope you have a great time,' was a common sentiment among attendees, she said. Even the comments on her social media posts throughout the day were positive, and she described the overall atmosphere as 'such a great atmosphere.'

Whitley’s interest in the event was driven largely by her enduring love for marching bands, a passion she developed while cheering for high school teams in Florida. She noted that a marching band is 'a thing of beauty' and that football is not the same without it. As she watched bands from across Alabama march through downtown Birmingham, she said the parade started the day on a wonderful note.

At the game, known locally as the Old Gray Lady, Whitley focused on capturing the culture rather than the play-by-play. She spent the day talking with attendees and noting the fashion, observing a strong sense of community spirit and pride. Although she holds degrees from Florida State University and the University of Alabama, she said she was thrilled to be near the energy of the ASU Hornets and A&M Bulldogs, noting the strong alumni connection both schools maintain.

For Whitley, the highlight of the game was the halftime show, specifically the Battle of the Bands. She described that portion of the event as 'epic.' Her experience was also marked by an unexpected celebrity encounter outside Legion Field. She approached a woman dressed in orange and blue, the colors of the University of Florida, asking why she was wearing them.

The woman was rapper and producer Khia, best known for the hit track 'My Neck, My Back.' Whitley, who describes herself as 'bookish' and admits she is bad at recognizing celebrities, had not heard the song. Her photographer was mortified by the oversight, but Whitley enjoyed the interaction. 'We had a really good time,' she said, noting that Khia engaged with her trash talk about her team.

Whitley has not returned to Classic weekend festivities due to scheduling conflicts, but she plans to attend the parade this year. She considers the event 'uniquely Birmingham,' comparing it to local food festivals and events at the Birmingham Museum of Art. She said the Classic breaks down walls and cultivates community, allowing people to participate in rich cultural experiences even if they are not the majority or familiar with the specific traditions.

She said she hoped her 2015 coverage helped readers who could not attend that year feel connected to the events. 'I know that you don't always get to go to the things that are important to you, so hopefully that was also helpful for people who would normally be there but didn't get to be,' Whitley said.