Youthful Enthusiasm! W henever I am asked, "What can be done about Baltimore’s violence?”, my response has been the same. And in the form of a question as well. “Have you posed that same question to our youth?"
Bill that the Black Caucus, then-President William J. Clinton, and the current President of the US enacted? The youth involved in UniFIED Efforts' programs enthusiastically volunteer to join our weekly community cleanups in "their neighborhoods." They like getting together to help their peers with academic assignments, collaborating and communicating clearly about the importance of cooperating and sharing fun experiences. They fill up their time with positive activities and are passionate about keeping their communities safe as members of UE's Community Responders Program. They show us that they are the solution to issues that impact the quality of their way of life. They see their futures as bright and within reach. When I am i n their presence it gives me a sense of clearness in what they expect from those responsible for their well-being and welfare . Listening to our young could be condescending. Hearing them requires us to be humbled before them despite our longevity and experience. Good, bad, and/or indifferent: lightning in a bottle is what their zest for life can be. Why not use that light to guide our path towards giving them what they could do with “their” positive youthful enthusiasm?
The feedback I have received from our youth speaks to a plain resolve: quality after/out-of- school time activities and programs aimed at their specific needs. Our youth desire safe spaces to learn, gather, flourish, and become contributing citizens as they grow up. The tough-on-crime bill ( 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act) resulted in the over incarcera tion of B lack Americans. Presently, the Baltimore Police Department continues to struggle to provide its sworn personnel clarity on how to protect and serve the most unprotected. Baltimore’s voting population supported a 2016 referendum to provide 25 million dollars to Baltimore nonprofits' after and out-of-school time programs. Sadly, the funds were reported by the Baltimore City government as being mismanaged. In the meantime, much needed services were denied our youth, services that may have provided them with safe outlets. We seem to think that we grown folks have all the “right” solutions when it comes to reducing Baltimore’s street crimes. Or do we? What has been improved since the 1994 Crime
A letter from the publishe r Deborah B. Ramsey Open Society Institute Fellow
Baltimore magazine 2022 Game C hanger Law Enforcement Action Partnership Speaker s B ureau
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