Baltimore Oh Baltimore

Baltimore, Baltimore, Oh Baltimore, where I was born and raised.  I have lived in the worst and best parts of Baltimore. What I have come to learn is that it’s not where you live, it’s how you live. So many years ago, not telling my age, but there were times when my friends and I would walk the streets all times of the day and early morning having fun, being kids. We would put our cute outfits on and go walking to see if any of our friends could come out to play. When we walked around at night, there was no need to carry a knife, pepper spray, or any weapon that would cause harm to a person. The streets were filled with children outside playing tag, jumping roping, all types of childhood games. Parents were outside watching out for each other kids while they play. These days now nobody wants to sit outside at night keeping an eye on the kids. People are scared of getting robbed and becoming an innocent bystander from gun shots.  

My friends and I would hang on my cousin’s block on Fayette and Streeper St, playing games, talking, just basically being kids. There were times when we would get loud so of course the police were called and we were told by my auntie to go across the street to the library. Long as we stayed out of trouble it was alright with the parents. My cousin’s neighborhood was a diverse community of elderly African Americans and Caucasian, basically home owners. I grew up with a rough childhood, being here and there, but that’s what made me the strong person that I am today.

Some people just think about the negativity that happens in Baltimore and not the positive things that go down in our city.  Baltimore has the Inner Harbor that has a lot of attractions, activities and good restaurants. In the heart of downtown Baltimore there is a convention center that holds many different conventions, where people worldwide comes to see the events. We just recently had the Grand Prix Race here in our city and tourists came in numbers to see an extradionary event. We have the 1^st Mariner Arena where lots of different activities are held, such as The Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, Dirt Bike show, Disney on Ice for the kids, sporting events, and music concerts. We have many different restaurants downtown like The Cheesecake Factory, Dicks restaurant, Moe’s restaurant, Phillips Seafood and the Power Plant where you can eat, drink, dance and go bull riding all in one. 

                         

There are great activities downtown for the kids for learning and fun purposes. We have the Aquarium, the Science Center where I enjoyed myself at with my child on a field trip, the Walters Art Gallery and during the summertime they have the sprinklers on outside for the kids to enjoy while they walk the harbor on hot days. So for people to judge Baltimore by what they see on T.V is wrong. They say don’t knock it until you try it. I have had thoughts about moving out of Baltimore, but this is my city and I am going to ride it out with them because a change is yet to come.

Sheila Moore