The media: informing or covering up corruption

The recent reporting by two of Baltimore’s local print periodicals was telling of the role of the media in attempting to educate us or cover up and allow political corruption. The examples are the reporting on the 88-acre Johns Hopkins expansion in East Baltimore by The Daily Record and The Baltimore Sun. The Daily Record’s reporting (“EBDI gets $2.5M to raze houses”. 12/12/2013) on the additional millions granted to EBDI (the development proxy for Hopkins and the city) assured us that the government continues to finance a private corporation’s expansion through funding demolition of property (from which more than 800 African American and low-income families were displaced) for construction of market-rate housing. This housing is necessary to accommodate the families being attracted to assure gentrification of the rebuilt area. Two days later The Baltimore Sun’s (“East Baltimore development moves to next phase”, 12/14/2013) report of the same plan for demolition forgot to inform us of the source of the funding for this demolition. Instead it focused on the ‘progress’ made by EBDI in building affordable housing. It did not elaborate as to who the existing homes were affordable to.

Letters to the editor were submitted to both periodicals; only the Daily Record chose to publish. Both letters are attached for your reading pleasure. Daily Record, let-to-ed; BaltSun,let-to-ed

Two days ago another report by the Baltimore Sun informed us of the opening of the new school, Henderson-Hopkins, as part of the Hopkins expansion (“East Baltimore students start new year in new school”, 1/2/2014). It informed us about the progress made by this expansion and again forgot to inform us of the school’s use as a magnet to attract a certain race and class of people: white and middle and upper-class. It forgot to mention that no outreach was done with local residents to assure timely application for school enrollment. It failed to tell us about outreach to the Hopkins East Baltimore campus’s students and employees who were given information well in advance of the deadline for application. It also failed to tell us about the two new retail businesses in the expansion area which caters to the ‘new’ race and class of people Hopkins and the city is seeking to attract to this school: a 7-11 which does not accept food stamps and a Walgreens whose prices are so expensive that local residents report they have to continue to trek all the way to North avenue’s Walgreens for the same item at lower costs.

But this bias in news reporting is not new to any of us familiar with the now 12-year rebuilding process of Middle East Baltimore. From the start this $1.8 billion project’s vision has been consistently directed by the Johns Hopkins University, Martin O’Malley and his administration at the local and state levels, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. To date the majority of local and national media sources have been lacking in transparent reporting to aid the public in holding this heavily publicly-subsidized project accountable. Most have long histories with the powerful stakeholders who individually and together, directly and indirectly, control the finances and therefore the action of the people, organizations, programs, and enactment of policies, and laws of the city of Baltimore and the state of Maryland.

Still, the role and future of journalism is defined exactly at moments like this when truth-telling stands up to power and editors and journalists reach for a higher standard and do not fear for their careers or being popular with the elite. The highest journalistic integrity suggests principles such as truth, accuracy and factual knowledge. The public relies on this highest integrity to inform us of truth and/or corruption that we can determine how and when to act for fair government and transparency to the people. Shall we remain hopeful that the new year will bring forward more courage, facts, and truth-telling in journalism in Baltimore and beyond?

Reflections on the path…

Here comes a new year in many parts of the world. It is a good marker for reflection. Maybe we can reflect on our path of transformation over the past year and how we will continue onward, with freshness and lightness in the new year! This continuous process of observation allows us a critical and broad view of ourselves as participants on the path. Stepping in and out of our daily activities, through reflection and stillness or through physical removal, helps us to cultivate a continuous practice of observation, evaluation, persistence and change. Because we often don’t “get it” right the first time, we need this reflection to continue moving toward an understanding which brings clarity and the ability to discern steps toward justice and away from ignorance.

Perhaps we can sit with a friend, a partner, a colleague, a family member, a comrade, and invite them to share their observations of our personal path of justice. Such questions as: how kind was I in my words during our daily interactions, how was my judgement, how was my listening, how was my patience, how was my thoughtfulness, my compassion. We can ask ourselves: did I perpetuate abuse, inequality, violence in words and actions in the workplace, in the home, in the car when that impatient person jumped in front of us without signalling. How was our thoughts, words, or action toward the presumed enemy, at the corrupt politician, the overpaid CEO of a university, foundation, or bank, the forgetful reporter, the disobedient child? After noting these, acknowledging where we can do better, celebrating where we did great, and smiling at ourselves, we can turn to the outside world.

How did 2013 address the injustices of racism, classism, and their use in development in Baltimore and beyond? Have we participated in or seen forms of equitable and sustainable development? What were the pieces of equity and inequity in different development projects we were aware of? What did they all have in common and what differed? How has equality grown in general? Or not? Was there more organizing happening in 2013? Coalition building across issues? Where was there room for improvement and how will I participate? These reflections can help us decide how we will use our energy in the next year and bring clarity and effectiveness in organizing ourselves on this path of inward and outward justice.

Remembering that we must continuously practice with ourselves, the peace and justice we want to see happen in the world, is the ground of any successful and sustainable collective social movement. It assures we maintain a state of consciousness which remains consistent in our homes and on the streets, in our spiritual journey and on the journey into the center of inequality. This consistency allows us the clarity to see that our journey of justice is similar inside ourselves, our homes, and in the marketplace. Justice for one is justice for all, healing ourselves, healing our communities.

So as we reflect on the past to guide us with greater understanding in the present moment, let us remember to smile. This small act can offer us many moments of joy, insight, and peace to nourish our energy and clarity along the beautiful path of justice.

Enjoy these photos from Belize!

Redevelopment policies and implications for health

Excerpt from Introduction of ‘Race, Class, Power, and Organizing in East Baltimore’:

Health Outcomes
Socioeconomic and political oppression of African American people throughout the history of America has directly resulted in the creation of neighborhoods of urban decay and poverty in the 21st century, which in turn affects the health of individuals living in these neighborhoods. The unequal and discriminatory laws and policies resulted in disinvestment and marginalization of communities in which majority African American lived leading to unhealthy physical environments of unsanitary, abandoned, and run-down streets, schools, parks, health clinics, recreation centers, stores, and houses, and high crime. The consequences or effects of living in such disinvested neighborhood, help to determine exposure to different levels of stress faced daily by individuals living, playing, working and learning in these communities as well the internal and external resources available to address these stressors in a healthy way.
The effect of having a low-paying job or no job, being African American or part of a racial minority, and education below high school level independently and together affects the health of an individual. These socioeconomic factors or social determinants increase the likelihood of an individual having a variety of physical and mental illnesses and a shorter lifespan.
The neighborhood effects and social and economic characteristics of individuals living in East Baltimore, together and individually, resulted in East Baltimore being characterized as one of the least healthy communities in America.
Community rebuilding efforts must therefore assess the communities’ health history and assure that the processes of rebuilding are participatory and not hierarchical as has been the intention and practice of EBDI and its partners. Rebuilding with input and direction from those living in the community can begin to change the historic oppressions that have directly and indirectly contributed to creating unhealthy communities. Assessment of the health impact, as well as the economic, social, educational, environmental, and political impact, on the people affected by community rebuilding processes must be included in an analysis of “benefit for whom.”
For those who organize and challenge the powerful stakeholders for more equitable rebuilding processes, the consequent health impact of increased stress must be assessed in light of the already existent stress resulting from living in abandoned and disempowered communities. These types of analyses must be incorporated into the strategies for rebuilding communities like Middle East Baltimore in order to address the historic damage and narrow the gap of unequal benefit to the stakeholders involved today. Such comprehensive analyses will begin to address the power imbalances which serve to widen the growing disparity in health between communities with differing degree of resources and which are separated by race and class.

For more specific discussion of the effects of unfair development as a social determinant of health and potential mechanisms for poor health outcome see chapter 9, ‘Poverty of health’.

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This link ( Development and health) provides a PDF of a presentation at Morgan State University on October 22, 2013 highlighting the health effects from the racist and classist development policies and practices that have shaped our cities in America.

Enjoy and organize!!

Johns Hopkins Hospital: a partner in medical negligence?

…with the coal industry: results in consistent denial of benefits to coal workers.

It is difficult to understand how such intentional and corrupt practices could continue for so many years. Are medical institutions and universities so powerful that they can commit medical negligence and go un-challenged by so many? Is the greed for money such a powerful force that neglecting the health needs of so many can go un-challenged? Have we reached a stage in society where powerful institutions are beyond challenge, accountability, and transparency?

Dear friends, read the following links and decide how you will organize for justice! We must rebuild the unhealthy ways power continues to corrupt, NOW.

Johns Hopkins under the microscope after investigation by Center for Public Integrity and ABC: black lung disease consistently undiagnosed by Hopkins physicians

full report of investigation

Organizing Against the Academic Industrial Complex

Join us at 2640 St. Paul Street in Baltimore for an exciting and revealing discussion about the Academic Industrial Complex: highlighting the activities of Syracuse and Johns Hopkins and organizing efforts to to challenge these powerful land grabbers…presented by John Burdick and Marisela Gomez
Hosted by 2640 and Red Emma’s

link to flyer

Morgan State University

How do current redevelopment policies affect the health of communities: the people and place?

Join us for a discussion on displacement and redevelopment from a public health perspective!

Where: Morgan State University, MSU Communications Building, Ruth T. Sheffey Lecture Hall, CC101
When: October 22, 2013 6:00 PM

This link ( Development and health) provides a PDF of a presentation at Morgan State University on October 22, 2013 highlighting the health effects from the racist and classist development policies and practices that have shaped our cities in America.

Economic justice affects how we rebuild healthy communities

Here is an opportunity to share information and learn from folks doing great work on the role of economic justice in building healthy communities that are equitable and sustainable.

Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies presents:
PLACE MATTERS: Exploring the Intersections of Health and Economic Justice National Health Equity Conference
October 2, 2013 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC.

See the agenda and be inspired to attend:

Place Matters National Conference Agenda 2013

East Baltimore residents protest at Johns Hopkins and EBDI for jobs and economic justice

East Baltimore residents protest at Johns Hopkins and EBDI for jobs and economic justice

Equity in education and housing!!

Here in DC and Baltimore, we are doing our best to keep lifting up the struggle for access to equitable housing, education, nutrition, health, employment, transportation. Moving toward equitable and sustainable communities require the coming together of all these conditions that make a community equitable. Check out these current events and send your energy or join where you can. Each one of us matters!!
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Homeless families file lawsuit
against Baltimore City Public Schools

September 24, 2013:

Represented by Public Justice Center, three homeless families filed a class action lawsuit on September 20 against the Baltimore City Public Schools for failing to provide transportation, school uniforms, and fee waivers for homeless students. Under the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Education Assistance Improvements Act, schools are required to provide these services to homeless students to ensure that their education continues even when their housing is disrupted.

The violations and lawsuit follow years of advocacy by the Public Justice Center and a broad community of organizations who support vulnerable families. In response, the City Schools took steps forward in their efforts to keep kids in school – and to support their success – regardless of whether or not they have a permanent address. In March 2013, City Schools staff proposed to the Chief Executive Officer and Board of School Commissioners a draft policy and implementing regulation governing the rights of homeless students. On May 14, 2013, the Board and CEO approved a final version of the policy that reflected all of the PJC’s recommendations as well as a final version of the regulation that incorporated most of the PJC’s proposed changes.

As school started again in August, however, the PJC heard from many families that these advances were not being implemented. Specifically, we learned of widespread violations of the law including in the areas of transportation, access to uniforms, access to fee waivers, and the provision of information to families about their rights. The lawsuit is intended to focus the City Schools’ attention on addressing these violations.

We applaud the families named as plaintiffs for their courage to stand up for their rights. For more about the case, read this article in the Baltimore Sun

Baltimore City Public Justice Center
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SOLIDARITY – A Photo Exhibit

Solidarity by Dominic Moulden

Join ONEDC (in Washington DC) for their Solidarity Campaign for the right to housing for all, through October 20, 2013.

Solidarity: Housing is a Human Right

September 8th at 4:30pm – Opening Reception – Solidarity: Housing is a Human Right

September 28th at 4:30pm – BookTalk – Urban Alchemy with Mindy Fullilove

October 20th at 4:30pm – Closing Event – The Kelsey Garden Story: Right to Housing in DC

Sankofa Gallery
2714 Georgia Ave NW Washington, DC 20001

See flyer. Solidarity Campaign: Housing is a Human Right