We are still not paying attention, and as vocal as I have been, I am just as guilty as I was before. I was under the illusion that due to a 10 pm curfew and the presence of soldiers with guns, the city was locked down. In a way, I had hoped that these protests were a unifying force for all people in an occupied city. I was wrong.
 
After mockingly emphasizing how “violent” the riots were (no deaths), I was told that a body was found in a semi by the CVS. I shared it, as my goal has been to get as much information out there as possible from as many sources. As I was talking with the person who shared the information, we thought it suspicious how a body could just show up in that area in a semi parallel parked with all of those cops and national guard around.
 
The information started pouring in. It was encouraging that people were following police scanners and social media of law enforcement organizations. I hope that continues indefinitely, but from the perspective of some one who didn’t know. What the fuck?
 
“There’s been 6 homicides since Monday. The news main focus have been these protest,” said my cousin.
 
“The night of the riots, there were 4 shootings, 3 of which were head shots, all within about 4 hours,” said the source of the original information on the body in the tractor trailer.
 
“It was a double shooting today boss.” said my friend who is like family.
 
“The national guard is protecting the money boss they ain’t in the hood.”
 
Damn that stung, but echoed the sentiments of the lost opportunity that the mayor and governor had. I wondered why all of the manpower was deployed.
 
“I heard shots fired 2 separate times the other night and thought the same,” said one friend.
 
“I was wondering the same thing Kwaisi, and even with the national guard in town many suspects have not been caught.” stated my family member. I was flabbergasted.
 
“They was deployed to protect the money man not the people boss they more worried about THE HARBOR and tourist attractions.” This has been a longstanding issue (many people were not paying attention) between people living in Baltimore City, and what the powers that be want people to think about when they think of Baltimore City.
 
“That’s why I was tripping that I saw 7 of them in 2 blocks…but like I said…I work at JHU East Baltimore campus…we are a big chunk of govt money #protectinginvestments” said a friend I gained through commentary on these issues.
 
“I went to Mussel Grille yesterday (Fells/Harbor East) and it was a totally normal scene until I passed 6 guards with some serious weaponry. All in the shadow of Legg Mason.” remarked another friend.
 
“It’s Baltimore boss ain’t shit going change plus its worst because they know where the police are.” The latter makes sense for perpetuating crime by nefarious characters, the former is what we are going to try hard to fight against.
 
If people are still getting murdered and suspects are still roaming free while the National Guard is in town enforcing a curfew, what does that say? It says we are still not paying attention.

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