Verdict Is In: Baltimore City is Hopeless

According to the Baltimore Sun, Joseph Alexander Ulrich, 40, moved from the Gettysburg, PA, area last April, to Baltimore City, to start a career as a photographer.

He was gunned down in the Midtown early Friday morning.  He died Sunday morning.

Another man, Lawrence Peterson, 56, was also shot and remains in critical condition, according to the Sun.

Police do not have any information on who the killer is or what the motive was. 

The Sun article states that the murder "shocked city leaders".  Oh, really?  And why would that be?

Maybe they are shocked because someone was killed in Midtown?  But that shouldn't shock them.  According to the Baltimore Sun data base on crime, there had been ten murders in the Central District so far this year, up until the death of Mr. Ulrich.  He made 11.     

Maybe they are shocked this time because Ulrich was a young white man whereas most of the victims of murder in Baltimore City are young black men?  

I can't speak for our "city leaders."  Maybe they can come forth and tell us exactly why they are shocked.          

I don't think "shocked" is the word to describe how I feel about the death of Mr. Ulrich.  I think disgusted, depressed, and hopeless, more accurately fit my mood.

I feel so sorry for the families of Mr. Ulrich and Mr.  Peterson.  Our city has failed them. 

I hope there are no candle light vigils for Mr. Ulrich.  We've seen them before.

I hope that no "city leader" makes a bold proclamation calling for reform.  We've heard them before.   

I know for a fact that the residents of Baltimore will not rise up and demand real change.  They never have in the past. 

It is too late for all of that now, anyway. 

Our city has failed. 

I am afraid we are hopeless.