The Baltimore Revolution

The second major cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24 is homicide according to statistics published by the CDC in 2012. Violence plays a disturbing role in American society. How can we reverse this cycle of violence especially in our large urban areas? How can we live in harmony when too many people are suffering from poverty and oppression? What we’re seeing in Baltimore is not a protest demonstration – it is a revolution. Parts of the city are filled with a hopeless, unemployed people living in decaying housing, with bad schools and high truancy rates where the cycle of poverty has become a legacy. It is handed down generation to generation. Fathers and husbands are absent. Women have children from various relationships, the first-born daughter stays home to care for the little ones. Without an education she becomes part of the cycle. Within a few years she too will have children by various male partners perpetuating the never-ending cycle of poverty and oppression. This cycle must be broken.

The protest demonstrations were triggered by an incident involving a local man, Freddy Gray, who died in police custody. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake allowed the rioting, looting and burning of buildings and cars before finally calling a curfew. There were 144 damaged vehicles, about 15 buildings with structural damage caused by fire, 20 injured police and numerous businesses which were looted and property destroyed and 486 arrests. National Guard helped local police to restore relative calm.

Probably the worst outcome is that nothing is being done for this community. While the Mayor is consulting with the Justice Department about Freddy Gray’s tragic story and the possibility of police brutality of black youth in Baltimore, nothing is done to help the neighborhood. There are no innovative ideas being tried. The Mayor should ask Habitat for Humanity to come to town and get young people to help in rebuilding the community. There are numerous retired and talented senior citizens who would happily donate their time to teach some of these young people about career goals and opportunities. Outreach groups should be encouraged to come into West Baltimore to help the people in whatever way they can. Neighborhoods should learn to cope and try innovations instead of whining to the federal government and begging for a handout. It’s part of being an independent adult.

Most important of all is that leaders must show accountability and not use their position as a stepping stone toward the next political ambition with a higher paycheck – otherwise these youth are lost forever to this hopeless cycle of violence. The emphasis here should not be about revamping the police department but about improving the lives of the people. Governor Larry Hogan called for a Day of Prayer and Peace on Sunday. Faith-based groups rounded up the youth of West Baltimore and led them to the New Shiloh Baptist Church. This is the best strategy for bringing the neighborhood together. It’s a sign of hope for Baltimore as well as other urban areas dealing with the strife and stress of urban life.