Phobia and fear of any part of Birmingham is pretty dumb. No need to be fearful. Just be smart. I've been in the roughest parts of the City (Bham Proper, Lipscomb, Ensley, Midfield, Fairfield, all around Elmwood/Titusville/Legion Field, Pratt, North Bham) on multiple occasions (not just driving,but working) and lived to tell about it. Daylight hours normally no worries. Although we had to have police escorts in Lipscomb for 8 days---group of 10 white people (construction, engineers, lawyers, quarry reps) inspecting claims of quarry blasting damage in the neighborhoods near Vulcan Materials--And again in North Birmingham near Walter Minerals and the Coke/Coal plant but that was out of an abundance of caution after the issues we had in Lipscomb. In Lipscomb there were a couple of carloads of thugs that rolled up on us and told us that white people aren't allowed there....seriously. They they kept slow rolling by every now and then. If we weren't looking they were trying to get into our vehicles. Vulcan hired police escort for the rest of the time.

So simple truths: Staying out of certain areas after dark and being very aware/make good decisions on where to stop/what to do in certain areas regardless of the time of day is very smart. There are pockets of the Greater Bham Metro Area that are simply bad places. So if you are there for a reason, just be aware and ready to respond as needed. No need to fear it.