As a young child, I recall being taught to practice self-discipline under the slogan that “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt you”. Now, as I approach sixty years of life, I fear neither but they both can be pretty painful when improperly handled. Everything and person has a purpose, for some the journey provides clues, gives guidance, and molds you to be fit for your life’s harmony. While I may not know what I want; let it be clear, I don’t want what I see.
To see the lobbyists' purpose to push for change has been blinded by individualism manifested in corruption. Today, as an advocate for my family, I can’t ignore how it hurts because Baltimore City has always been the “Lions Den” for the state of Maryland. The city for our least desired has been a dumping ground for continued experimentation and funding scams my entire life. It’s the pit of the people in the heat of the flames where it takes fortitude to make it out. However, I chose not to leave the ones behind that were left forsaken. The neglect and abuse is widely casted, hidden in plain sight, selectively bias, and crippled by the same processes enacted to cure the ailments of discrimination.
Now given the role to lead, what do you want? Should resonate within us as we take the victory stance because if the most vulnerable can’t feel your spirit of joy and remain in despair then what you wanted is not what they needed and failed, so let’s get up again and do it right. The people in Baltimore City deserve a chance to one day live by those freedoms afforded to others without the personal bias or judgements. That reward not even I can take pleasure in while I guide with the dimmest of light.
