The Unspoken War in Baltimore: The difference between conversations about gun violence in Baltimore versus Parkland

Baltimore has been at war with gun violence as long as we can remember.

There’s this joke that, especially during the summer, when you hear shots ring you never know if it’s fireworks or actual gun shots in the city. . . . It’s not that funny, I must admit.

Or what about “Living in Baltimore is like a ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode, you never know who is going to die next.”

We never know if we’re safe. Sometimes when I’m walking home from school, I don’t know if i’m gonna make it. Just imagine walking to the store on the corner and once you walk out you see a guy running for his life with a man behind him with that guy’s life basically in his hands. I was like 13 when that happened. That is the moment when I realized that I live in a war that I want to get out of.

This is the daily life of a student in Baltimore.

You don’t hear about anyone shooting up city schools. You do hear about homicide cases and whether you’ll see the people you love once they leave . . . or at least you should be hearing about it.

We’ve rallied and cried, protested and fought for better gun laws. This is nothing new to Baltimore, so to see it getting attention from other places is, of course fantastic, but makes me curious.

“Were our cries for help not as important?”

We’ve been in a war zone too long. We’ve been pleading for change. How are we expected to thrive in a city that feels like a hunting ground?

Maia Washington and Jada Jackson are writers and seniors at Western High School.

61 Comments

  1. Thank you, Jada and Maia, for your thoughtful comments. Thanks for your leadership. Love your fan, Ms. Kelly

  2. It’s so important for the country to hear this right now. Thanks for giving your testimony. We should all be paying better attention.

  3. Pskq2k Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your further post thanks once again.

  7. Usually I do not read post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very great post.|

  22. Usually I don at learn post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite nice article.

  25. I simply want to say I’m all new to blogs and honestly liked this blog site. Very likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You surely come with great writings. Thanks a bunch for revealing your web-site.

  28. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really know what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Please also visit my web site =). We could have a link exchange contract between us!

  30. Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is fantastic, as well as the content!

  31. This particular blog is without a doubt educating and besides factual. I have discovered a bunch of useful stuff out of this blog. I ad love to return again and again. Thanks!

  36. We stumbled over here different page and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to exploring your web page repeatedly.

  45. Thanks for this very useful info you have provided us. I will bookmark this for future reference and refer it to my friends.

  46. You have remarked very interesting details ! ps nice web site. Loneliness seems to have become the great American disease. by John Corry.

  47. You made some nice points there. I did a search on the subject and found most persons will approve with your blog.

  48. I have figured out some new issues from your site about computer systems. Another thing I have always imagined is that computer systems have become a product that each household must have for several reasons. They provide convenient ways in which to organize the home, pay bills, shop, study, listen to music as well as watch tv shows. An innovative strategy to complete every one of these tasks is a computer. These computers are mobile ones, small, highly effective and convenient.

  55. Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  57. hey there and thank you for your information – I have definitely picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this site, since I experienced to reload the website many times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this again very soon..

  58. I’ve read a few just right stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much attempt you set to make one of these wonderful informative website.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.