E-mail a friendAugust 18, 2005
Legendary civil rights-era journalist Karl Fleming says he learned "real bravery" from activists in Birmingham, AL. Singer Amerie reflects on her biracial heritage.
Karl Fleming
Karl Fleming
Karl Fleming stumbled into journalism. He grew up in a church orphanage during the Depression and escaped poverty via a stint in the Navy. He began his career with small dailies and later became Newsweek's chief civil rights reporter, covering the South's hot spots during the '60s. While covering the '65 Watts riots as L.A. bureau chief, he was seriously injured. Fleming went on to work for the L.A. CBS affiliate. In Son of the Rough South, he recounts his life story against the backdrop of the civil rights movement.
Amerie
Amerie
Amerie's musical tastes, ranging from jazz to hip-hop and R&B, are showcased on her newly released sophomore CD, 'Touch.' A 'military brat,' she's lived all over the world and has a view that's unique, compared to most singers in her genre. Amerie studied dance and started entering talent shows in third grade. She gained an appreciation of the classical arts from her mom and of R&B from her dad. She says she wants to put her Georgetown University English degree to good use one day by writing her life story.