Justice Inequality

Guest speakers Doug Colbert and Tara Huffman, Maryland lawyers, came to speak about the unequal treatment between races of people. One statistic they mentioned: 10 percent of the Maryland School population is in Baltimore City Schools, but represent 90% of the drug offenses in all of the states schools. This statistic was astounding because of the large discrepancy between the student population and the drug offenses committed throughout the state of Maryland. However, I do believe that race is not the sole reason for this offense; outward appearance other than skin color has an impact on someone's first impression. It is usually the case that downtown city areas have a more messy and intimidating outward appearance; whereas in the suburbs that is less of the case. Which in turn has to do with a general attitude and personal mindset that different kids are taught growing up in their environment; and that environment can be our (as in society as a whole) fault because we impose those views to one another. So I'm not sure, without further research, if I completely area with the connection between human race and inequality based on that fact.

Connecting that fact to Freddie Gray and his story, there are basic level similarities between the situations. The story was told that Freddie Gray ran away when he was walking down the street and saw police, he then was pursued and caught by the officers, and died in their custody. The original assumption explained that Mr. Gray was chased because he was black and they didn't treat him the same as others who have been arrested. However, my mindset is that there are always 3 sides to every story: his, hers, and the truth; and the truth is a mixture between each individual's story.  Our objective for the radio series should be to tell each side's story, not make connections between them, at least early on in the series. To allow the listeners to hear what should be the facts, and slowly make their own conclusions. Then to conclude, draw from each side and make connections between stories to create a story that seems to be as close to the real truth as possible.

Society: The Various Views of Living

Class this week, February 16, 2016, having guest speakers come in to discuss social work and life experiences from downtown Baltimore, Gilmore and McCullen area especially, brought to the forefront the difference in society's views of an area. John Comer, one of the leaders in Communities United, expressed his personal experiences living downtown and how individuals roles in the communities correlate to the living experience. Hearing about how it took 3 years for his organization to begin to gain respect and relevance within the communities he was helping astounded me. That astounded me particularly because, he explained, that the community didn't trust the group that they were helping the area because it was the right thing to do. Hearing that people within the community had built up such distrust for others, was unthinkable. To hear that a gesture of kindness wasn't met with a simple expression of gratitude blew my mind. However, hearing Mr. Comer say that money was something of higher importance for Communities United to continue to grow, rather than more community support was a point I understood immediately. Money does wonders for organizations, especially organizations that do volunteer work.

Sitting, listening to how stagnant growth was for a group that was looking to improve their own neighborhoods surprised me. That really made me connect with Mr. Comer, and to see his emotion take over his entire self when the riots were brought up. Those things together made me a believer in Comber and his organization; wanted me to make sure I personally got his contact information to contact him and see what I could do. Even though Baltimore isn't my original "home"; Buffalo, NY is, didn't change my mindset that people should help others when they can, no matter how small the gesture. Listening through class hit home for me, we are all people no matter color, social class, gender, education. People are people at the most basic level, and that alone should be enough for someone to reach out to show support. A picture may speak a thousand words, but an action does more than any word can.

The radio show, and the work that goes into making the segments I know takes time and plenty of effort. Working with the AMST 422 class last spring for the Filbert Street Community Garden, and even though I personally wasn't a part of the radio work each class hearing about the time that went into its completion. I know this project is going to be a lot of work, and group collaboration, but the outcome can be something special. You never know who could be listening, and who could make a personal connection. A personal connection is all it takes; one person can influence many to make change.

 

What's "The Club"?

After hearing our three guest speakers: Dwight Pettit, Neil Franklin, and Michael Wood; I gained a new insight on the portrayal of police and their enforcement of law. However, the most influential idea was "the club"; either you were a part of the police club, a cop or other law enforcement, or you were not. This idea really hit home, especially when Mr. Wood spoke of his plan to destroy this systemic organization. "Going to the streets" was his plan of action, he wasn't focused on the mindset of individuals; his target was their behavior, which would in turn stop the problem.

However, I disagree with Mr. Wood's theory. I believe in the saying "Catch a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat forever." That saying to me not only speaks volumes to the importance of knowledge, but to being able to change an individuals mindset. This second change in mindset I believe is a lesson from that expression, because a man has to change how he thinks in order to take the time to learn to fish, and eventually to reach some form of expertise in this skill. So, changing a mindset will change behavior, changing behavior doesn't change a mindset; so without a different mindset the real belief of people hasn't changed. People will still be stuck in the same thought process, living their life as a lie. 

Two questions I want most answered in class:
What does the city of Baltimore do to improve the social environment for each social/racial class?
If people think they see a solution to this social issue, then who is the group/individual making such solution known to the masses?