Baltimore! We have it all, like any city in America. Artscape is happening this weekend. One of the few times when all of Baltimore co-mingles: the white L and the black butterfly come together. Also happening this weekend is the continued corrupt arm of government trying to sequester any transparent and accountable process around policing. The Baltimore Police Civilian Review Board refused to sign a confidentially agreement imposed by the city solicitor’s office, after said office confiscated their rights to be an independent board by bringing them under their wings. So we celebrate by enjoying the diverse and amazing art of Baltimore with one hand and with the other we continue to cover and hide accountability regarding police misconduct. This is it folks, suffering and enlightenment together.
We make one step forward and individuals and institutions caught in old systems of power and corruption, greed and delusion, push us backward one step. Last week we had the first set of applications turned in to the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund, supervising $12 million government dollars directed toward the benefit of our youth. A community process for review and assistance is the oversight body for distribution and evaluation of these funds. This is an enlightenment step (just in case you missed that!). Also this week, the Housing Authority of Baltimore city announced it will receive $30 million from the federal government to assist in the redevelopment of Perkins Homes. Two weeks previous the private developers for the project, with support from the Mayor, announced they were seeking $102 million in tax credits for the project. There is no community oversight of this redevelopment, even though Perkins Homes is more than 629 units of public housing for those unable to afford housing in the city. Planned in its place: a mixed-income development of 1,345 units developed by Beatty Development. There is still no commitment to build 629 affordable units on this site to replace insufficient affordable units in the city. Oh right, they will build more affordable units on another site so we can socially engineer continued segregation. But who’s counting these details?
One step forward, one step backward, cha cha cha…it’s electric…hmmm wrong tune.
We stepped forward two weeks ago when the Community Oversight Task Force released its Report with recommendations for a complete revamp of the Community Review Board (mentioned above). They recommend an ‘Institute an independent Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) with professional staff to investigate complaints of police misconduct; audit the police’s training, policies, and procedures; and conduct community outreach on policing issues.’ And the public can provide comment. Then we stepped backward when Baltimore Department of Public Works was caught dumping chlorinated water into Jones Falls.
Cha, cha, cha
We love Baltimore. All of Baltimore. One reason is because Baltimore is small enough to see the problems quickly and clearly, and the solutions. And small enough to remove the problems and implement the solutions, if we’re organized. Those who are interested in continued corruption need to be driven out of power and those with clarity, integrity, and humility need to be supported.
Thinking we may need to change the rhythm…like two steps forward and one step backward…it’s electric…
For example, looking forward to an exploratory discussion on Universal Basic Income for Baltimore, funding for Community Land Trusts and alternative redevelopment models. Because that $102 million of tax credit to the developers (so they can guarantee a bigger profit margin, you know, the already implemented Universal Basic Profit for the Wealthy) will get that rubber stamp in Planning and City Council (color me wrong, please!)…one step back…cha cha cha.
Come on Baltimore, we can do better…two steps forward, one step backward…it’s electric…cha cha cha
Baltimore Artscape 2018