Good Mourning, Baltimore

I have a lot to say about what is happening in Baltimore this week. But I have much more to say about what has been happening in Baltimore my whole life and for decades before that. However, I do not know much about the situation because I have been lucky enough to live in a safe, middle-class neighborhood, with very little crime and great educational and economic opportunities, 45 minutes outside of Baltimore. 

I love Baltimore, I do. I'm a regular Camden Yards visitor, I love a good visit to the aquarium, and I have some great memories on 34th Street at Christmas time. But that is not the Baltimore that is up in arms. I haven't lived the systemic racism or the cyclical inequality. I am ashamed of the people who I know are bright, compassionate Maryland residents when I see them call the rioters "animals" and "savages." I am ashamed of the people undermining the movement for racial equality with opportunistic looting and rioting. I am ashamed of the sensationalism that the media is feeding the rest of the world. But most of all, I'm ashamed that it had to come to this to get people talking about the issues in Baltimore. This pain is not new. As much as we would all love to say that the Orioles and the Ravens and the Inner Harbor are the heart and soul of Baltimore, that is not true. The heart of Baltimore is a group of hardworking but painfully oppressed people who need our love and support, not just at moments such as these, but everyday.

So before you ask these PEOPLE (please, can we at least remember that they are people) to calm down and work in peace, let's keep in mind why they are hurting. Their anger is not unprovoked. We need to show them peace and love before we can expect them to return it. Prayers for ALL Baltimoreans, the guardsmen working to keep the city safe (Thank you Neil Kleczek) and everyone who has been hurting from this age-old racism and inequality, especially the family of Freddie Gray.

That's the best I can do here. I can't say much as on the topic because it deserves eloquence and prose that I am not capable of providing. So I will just let Jon Stewart finish up for me. 

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/stewart-goes-off-maybe-we-shouldve-cared-about-baltimore-before-it-was-on-fire/