Im a white male. In 2002 I got lost, walking in Baltimore. Wandered into some pretty rough neighborhoods. Black people on every corner. Was offered various kinds of drugs multiple times. Not very comfortable, to say it mildly. But soon realized that all I had to do was to say: No! And the dealers walked to the next pedestrian without a word. They were selling a product to those willing to buy. Plain and simple. Since I wasnt taken for a cop (Im overweight and always using sweatshirts and sweatpants) there was no hostility either. Back at my hotelroom at the Days Inn Inner Harbour after hailing a cab, I pondered the fear I felt for a few minutes, and wondered how people become after living in the ghetto for years, feeling unsafe all the time. It must be HELL.
Coming from the inner city high rise projects of Baltimore (34 years) I know that the city can change. Stop looking for someone outside to bring change and just do it yourselves. So many of us have gone away from helping the elderly to build self worth within. We step over or keep walking by with blinders on, or look at situations just as entertainment value. I myself, very guilty of the very thing that I'm referring to. At least I'm becoming aware and taking action to change, not just identifying. I've had my run in with the law being young and dumb, but their comes a time when ignorance is no longer a defense.
Joseph, your understanding of the problem is paramount. The bigger problem is not having enough people like minded as yourself. And when people enough do, you need to get those people together, when this is done results can be obtained from your meetings. Since these things are not likely to happen, society, and police will not change their attitudes. Worse than that new generation, innocents growing up now will never have a chance they need
I wonder how many people commenting here watched the entire video before commenting? This issue is not simple, it's complex, it's not recent, it began before many of the commenters were born.
Len Adams The issue is not when it started... the issue is... what the hell are these people going to do to stop it. It seems to me that the people in this video are blaming everyone but themselves for their problems. We all have choices and it does not matter if your poor.. Being poor does not make you commit crime. I grew up poor, in a poor integrated neighborhood and we did not commit crime. We got an education and made something of ourselves. One big difference we had was, our fathers lived with us and guided us. My Father had two jobs but always found time for us.My Mother stayed home and made sure we did our homework and we had to do chores. The government can't fix these problems... the police can't fix these problems... The problems can only be fixed by the parents, by raising their children the right way.
eleanornjim I think the history of the situation matters. And I don't think the solution is as easy as you imply otherwise it would have been solved by now. Many of the fathers in the video are in jail for much greater lengths of time than in other neighborhoods because of police and sentencing policy. By the way, did you watch the video? I still wonder how many commenters are responding to the video.
eleanornjim well what if your dad was put in prison when you were a child for a crack charge and was out of your life for 10 years. who would you blame for that?
It is tragic that there is a group of people who think that a life of crime and prison is their future. I do see the breakdown of the family unit in these neighborhoods where people are having kids with lots of different people, kids wit no guidance. How do we fix it? My hubby and I married young in college with nothing, supported ourselves with little money and built a great life. The difference? It's what we knew. Kids mirror their future on what they grow up seeing. My kids are following me.
Raised in Harlem New York my family is from Baltimore Md. I have family in Baltimore and have experienced the change in New York as well as Baltimore first hand. I want to thank you for bringing a fair and honest report of the major issue in our urban areas and the end results. Thank you . This has to be addressed.
@@Gabriel-br4qe problem is in the entire existence of human kind man had never been to space let alone walk on the moon. Until they just did it. My point is it is a mindset. If you want to escape make a plan.
@@alexanderx3554 Are you really comparing socioeconomic issues with the moon landing? lol tell me if apollo 11 would have happened if they had cut their funding. They had a mindset, yeah, and also millions of taxpayer dollars.
Gabriel Pieratti Thank You Gabriel! Some people paint life with a broad stroke. What works for one person may not work for the next. Moving away is not always the answer. Everyone has a unique set of circumstances and we should not be so quick to pass judgement on one another, because we don’t know all the details.
They do. They don't care. It's intentionally done in the sense that they want to perpetuate classes and an American aristocracy, not a culture of opportunities and merit. The we are still fighting the war of American independence.
Ppl most understand that crime is needed. it's a business .courts,jail, funeral, politicians, government ,police. It's all a big Monopoly game for power while acting like they r trying to help. But really everybody is in it for they self
+Mutumbo000 hmmmm... whats happened since 2012 ? the movement to not let police do their job. its very difficult to stop CRIMINALS when police arent being allowed to do their job.
It's Baltimore what do you expect. Here in upstate NY we have a once proud and prosperous city on the Genesee, Rochester that has become synonymous with violence and mayhem. Anytime a violent crime or wicked street fight breaks out in that city, the usual response is "hey it's Rochester where killing is a way of life" horribly sad but true.
Funny Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said during the riots a few years ago " Give those who wish to destroy, space to do that". She has added to the despair and destruction of a once great city and it's people.
The irony with there not being businesses and jobs in these areas is the violence that has driven them out and that keeps them away. I was watching a show about Philadelphia and the businesses managing to hang on in the bad areas were constantly victims of robbery and violence. I sure wouldn't put a business where I would get targeted for violence.
I understand that some people have it harder then others. But people are still responsible for their own actions. Criminals cant always blame the system for the mistakes they made.
I loved Baltimore as a child but by the time I got to my mid twenties, I realized that most people make situations negative. Jealousy, envy, greed, and lust makes them act like children and they stay that way their entire lives. When I realized this, I slowly began to lose my love for this place. They are creating their own situation and then pointing the finger at someone else. I'll admit I've made mistakes but I corrected myself and moved on. I cannot say the same for a Baltimorean/moron.
PEOPLE!!!! STOP. don't over complicate this. Three simple words can solve ALL this..... Raise. Your. Children. Not over night but for God sakes! Break the cycle! I get that these folks are disadvantaged, but one of these generations has to step up and put their kids prosperity at the forefront of all they do. I define my success as my children's sucess. If they fail, I failed. Accountability is a big ass pill to swallow when your consumed with your own selfish desires. and then compound the problem because your brainwashed into hopelessness thinking you will always and forever be a 'victim' by the system.
Husker Power Good one ... its the problem that they find themselfs victimized so hey stay and do nothing but play the victim... there are black guys that went to the fucking moon ... so that means that some of them broke that circle but others rather choose not to...
Husker Power Well obviously it is easy for you as a white boy to sit there, behind his screen lecturing about raising kids on social media, but it is not that simple when one is under a lot of pressure.
MrCollegeSmart my dad moved our family out of a ghetto area in Los Angeles and yeah he had to work three jobs to raise us in a safe neighborhood and that's what it takes...a parent to make the effort and want a change for their youth.
Plane Jane "IT IS EASY FOR YOU AS A WHITE BOY TO SIT THERE BEHIND HIS SCREEN LECTURING" Shit, can't white people read nowadays? I don't give a fuck what your WHITE dad did, even if that story is true, he is white so the same does not apply.
MrCollegeSmart I'm not white lol And not it wasn't easy but my parents wanted better for me and unfortunately for the kids in Baltimore, the parents aren't there or dont care. Not a race or cop issue...its a social issue.
I'm going to stretch a bit and as a white male this is "easy" for me to say.. I acknowledge that. There is an issue of pride or lack thereof. Many blacks are very proud of their heritage, their family unit, being American, and of making the most of opportunities their grandparents didn't have. It is noble and inspiring. On the other hand, many blacks do not have this pride, and will do whatever to make money, gain power, or otherwise serve themselves. More pride, better decisions, less hate.
The guy who blames the government is the perfect example of why nothing changes. They are waiting for the big hand of Uncle Sam to reach down and fix things? The fathers are in jail for their bad choices. And what is that guy doing to change things? Just venting and blaming does nothing. It is possible to stay in school and get scholarships and loans to college despite living in poverty. My parents gave me $125 a month for rent and I worked and paid my tuition and books and food. It is possible.
$125 from parents is a hand out, no matter who provides it. Be thankful that you have parents - and welcome to the realization that having parents that give two tuckuses about you is priceless and exactly why a lot of poor were put into that position and remain there. There Is No Substitute And a Huge Advantage and Privilege.
@@mengshun Well then, maybe they should get real and become good parents and start good practices instead of standing around looking for someone else to blame.
I grew up in Baltimore in the 1970s/80s. Saw my first killing (yes....actual moment) when I was 3. this story resonates with me. Thank you for making it and bringing the problem to others attention.
i just think one of the biggest problems is parents don't know how to have any kind of control these days ....especially when there no father figure around
Then you need to figure out WHY the fathers don't take responsibility. I was moved out of Baltimore by my parents and finished growing up in the country, I'm 60 now and still think of Baltimore as my first home, I didn't know what drugs were until we moved to the country........ still don't use drugs. we moved out in 1973.
Thanks for this. I go to school near this city. It's disgusting knowing Bmore hasn't built a new school since 1959, yet they're pouring in millions for a new prison.
Im from Baltimore City and i have been living here all my life so im sort of use to the violence but i never interacted in any of those type's of behavior, My mother made sure i didnt get into any trouble, with that being said i think its more about parents not properly raising there children i think thats one of the biggest issues here in Baltimore. There are not many role model's for these children. If theres not a proper salution things will continue to stay the same.
Best new Baltimore documentary on my page - Down in the hole ...made by baltimore natives...shot during the riots !! Al jazeera is super dope and this was dope ! Salute
If there aren't any jobs, go out of town and get one. Send some money back home. Stop drug dealing and committing crimes. Don't make children out of wedlock...there are too many single mothers out there. Women: don't get pregnant at a young age. Go to work or further your education. Birth control is the responsibility of both sides. Avoid excessive intoxication that leads to bad choices. And most of all, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS. Breaking the law will keep you perpetually in the system. Stop blaming everybody else for your mistakes. Take pride in yourself and the way you present yourself. It will help improve your chances in getting a job. All this will improve the community as a whole.
Raven Fox Well, unless someone's willing to help them pay the expenses associated with moving to where the jobs are and living expenses until they secure that job, how are supposed to "go out and get one"? Are you going to do it? And can you guarantee that not one of those employers will turn them away because of the color of their skin? Someone else's bias is not their fault. You're going in the right direction, but what you and many others fail to realize is that until racial discrimination is completely eradicated, minorities will never shoulder the blame completely. And that's probably what makes it so easy for some African Americans to pull the race card instead of reflecting on their actions and taking responsibility.
Ah, I see, you wanna do some "Who's the the better race" comparing shit, but the funny thing is you never denied any of it, therefore I stand by my comment. Every race has rapists, murderers, drug dealers and so on, don't ever try to make another race look bad while your race is on some crazy shit also.
if baltimore wants to see change, it needs to start from within. Show everyone that you are willing to change, to take the highroad and to end violence and promote peace. EVERYONE needs to show this, not just a select few groups of people. Otherwise, there is no incentive for businesses to open in a city where being robbed or shot is a constant threat. No one wants to risk that. So start the change from within yourselves. Thats the only way.
The problem is that people are born into crime, drugs and poverty...and getting out is difficult. There is a lot of pressure from within (gang recruitment, hopeless home situation, terrible public schools where teachers aren't giving their all because a lot of students are already in the drug war, etc) so rising above that is very hard-even if opportunities are available to you. It's very sad. I love our city (Yes-I live in Baltimore) and we see it every day.
the suggestion from the "community leaders" depicted in this documentary is that life in black neighborhoods is SO BAD because --- what-- the best and brightest are locked up on drug charges?
Families are so dysfunctional. Schools look like prisons. Kids barely stand a chance in Baltimore or any poor inner city. Parents have no morals or values what do we think will happen...
Baltimore is rough. I live in DC & never even think about visiting. I used to, back in the 80 & 90's; went to the Inner Harbor and Baltimore Aquarium, but that was about it.
they need to change the culture of their environments. id say its unlikely that will happen so likely, Baltimore will end up like a shell of a city like Detroit, or soon to be Chicago.
+steve tafe It's not. Just the number of murders are higher. But Baltimore murder rate is way higher. Two different things. Baltimore had the population of Chicago, it would be 5 times worse in the number of murders every year.
Chicago will never be like bmore or Detroit if you aint been here you need too come its beautiful even what you would call a hood is not like Detroit or bmore
Watching this during and after the 2020 presidential election. Lived in Baltimore for 6 years for school. Left 1yr after the film was taken. Felt huge pain in chest to see the country divides as much as it is now.
In 2004 I had a job interview in Balmore (as they pronounce it) and stayed in a hotel downtown. I had to RUN from my hotel to the job interview so nothing would happen to me. Balmore is a scary place. Just like Detroit, Newark, St.Louis, Gary or Oakland. Wowzers!
Please do a special on the children of the prisoners! I worked in low income public schools and an alarming number of the kiddos' dads are in prison. Imagine what it's like for them to visit their dad in jail.
If all the black people in Baltimore would renounce Democratic candidates in all public elections and vote instead for a Conservative candidate for one full year or term, I'll bet that many of these issues would be solved during that year or term. It would not be tasteful to some, because welfare, food stamps, and unemployment would be cut. But so would taxes be cut on small and large businesses, which would then begin to do more hiring. Within a few years, more people would be working, tourism would come back, and prosperity and pride would return. But the black people in Baltimore (and indeed in many large American cities) will never do that. They are slaves to the Democrats. Nothing more.
Riveting! I especially like the coverage of Michelle Alexander. She wrote a book in 2010 that is just now receiving some attention ~ "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in an Age of Colorblindness". I highly recommend it. I'm also pleased that the creator of "The Wire", former HBO series, candidly admits that the war on drugs started as a war on blacks. THIS is why U/S. poli-TRICKANS, business/prison industrial complex don't want Al Jazeera widely available on cable/satellite networks.
I agree with you my friend; however this is a segment of the black population. We never talk about black lawyers,doctors,engineers,working folk . Based on the insanity that we are viewing(this video) the opinion in America and throughout the world is that this is sum of who we are,and that is not true. I think those who blame government should honestly step back and take a look at the fact this conservation is being debated in the wrong circles, black folk need to begin to debate this issue.
just settled poor immigrants or refugees so they can revitalize and take advantage of the opportunity. its not the place that is bad, its the ungrateful people that live there.
My sister saw her first murder on her 6th birthday as we were on our way to a pizza joint to celebrate in Baltimore. The victim, who was stabbed, ended up on our car hood with blood pouring everywhere! Who in their right mind would want to live there!
If you replaced the black population of Baltimore with an equal number of people from China within a generation it would be another Hong Kong. Prosperous and dynamic with the best schools in the country. You know its true. This isn't 1965 and its certainly not 1865. If that community fails and their city crumbles its 100% on them and no one else.
Compared to the rest of the world, these black folks are rich and prosperous. There are several countries where people are ten times poorer, but they don't shoot each other. Why not talk about the real reasons of the problem? The disintegration of the family, the lack of fathers, the rap/hip-hop culture, the lack of values?
I don't have the best answer for anyone but myself, I don't have to choose the wrong way, or do what everyone else is doing, take the drug money save it up as much as possible, tell no one, by a one way ticket out of state and build a better life some where else. There are options. Blaming someone else when one can choose to make it better on their own, no one is going to listen to that.
It all starts with THE PARENTS.....unfortunately parenting skills need to be developed if we hope to have our kids come out BETTER than we did, which SHOULD be every parents dream......I don't care what anyone says, a woman cant raise a man without support of some kind.......when all the black men are locked-up, its the kids who suffer most, and the black family disintegration is perpetuated......young black men GET YOUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER
The breakdown of the Family is a tactic of cultural Marxism. It has been used against America since the 1960's, ushered in by the deliberately fabricated Feminist movement (Steinham, Freidan were paid by wealthy global elites to get women out of the home and to be promiscuous etc) and the Hippy movement: also designed to loosen morals of men and women and promote drug use. The counter culture -- get it? They continue this today: those behind it own the music industry, TV, Hollywood and they program society with their subversive output: the young are very impressionable and they know this. All of this country's deterioration has been deliberate and secretive.... It's been no accident and very hard to escape. Those behind it have infiltrated schools, universities, media (books, mags, music, novels, movies etc), politics, TV, news organizations: everything. The way to fight it is to become aware of the Agenda so you don't fall for their manipulations.
Lol. It's always someone else's fault why men turn to crime. Trololol. I agree single mothers should just abort the fetus pigs that way crime is down and crisis averted
My aunt lives in Baltimore and she lived in one of the GOOD neighborhoods (and a fire station was literally RIGHT across from her) and her car got stolen! But she moved.
Pointing the camera on people talking about the crimes they committed in the past like they were legends in their own time, really makes me sick. The inner-city governments are a joke. How about this country start making things like it used to. That will create jobs. I'm not sure these folks would want the jobs. But, It's a start. Do these people really want a job? It's hard to be a local legend working an honest 40 hour week. The welfare state culture has gone on too long. As planned.
***** What has my life to do with it? What about the content of the vid.? Do you have any real thoughts or insights about Balto. or is it easier to throw lame insults?
I went to my aunts house (which is near East North Ave. and Aisquith St.) We were playing outside and suddenly we heard a gunshot from the alley. We ran back inside and heard our aunt crying. Luckily, none of us were hurt, but the man who was shot was killed that day. A very sad day.😢
Danicka Addams we comecto this country sometimes without the paperwork to work, STILL FIND WORK. We come without speaking English..STILL FIND WORK. We come to an alien culture and adapt, open up stores across the communities we live in, work and raise families. We value hard work and family unity, we respect our women and elders and we take pride in ourselves..there's no excuse
When youth are put in jail for five months waiting for trial there has to be an accommodation made to keep their education going. How are they going to recover if they are found not guilty?
The fact is the people who live in Baltimore love it just the way it is. They represent Baltimore and its reflective in every aspect of what they are all about. Far more dangerous the any other city and they relish in the fact that it's what makes Baltimore number one.
every resident of baltimore should get, mandatory, a automatic rifle (like ak 47 or ar 15) with 500 rounds a month and a high capacity pistol (like a glock) with 200 rounds a month. mandatory !
What's interesting is that AlJazeera had the courage to investigate the drug issues in Baltimore City. As a former resident of Baltimore City I wonder where is the American investigative journalism? Where is CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox? Does AlJazeera care more about our communities than our own news system? Why are American news sources turning their back on American communities?
i live here in Baltimore and its nothing like this here.these look like little punks trying to be hard core.this low budget supposed to be movie is not showing how bad Baltimore really is.the producer should have gotten some real G's so people can really see how it is here.the crime here is off the charts.not a good place to live and definitely not a good place to raise kids
+tweetloveable To be fair this is a decent documentary showing some of what is going on. It may not show how hardcore as it is, but it demonstrates some of the problems in Baltimore.
I am Born and raised in Baltimore City. and it is a way to better your self better Neighborhood's am 39 yrs old with two kids .and I refused to raise them in Lexington Terrace projects where I grew up but its all in you .
I went to The Gambia in July and it's classified by the World Bank as "Least Developed" with a GDP per capita of $1,864. Almost everyone is very poor there. But crime is very low, most of the crime comes in the form of petty and unconfrontational theft. But the same cannot be said for all of Africa, look at the murder rates of Ivory Coast, Zambia, Uganda, Malawi, South Africa, the DRC etc.
I used to live in Baltimore. Mostly around the city and down by the pier is ok and looks good but once you go to one of the ghettos for example Stricker street it gets scary
another smart thing to do is to do as you are told, when the police tell you to do something, then you just do it, this is one other secret we white people know about and why we are so priviledged
A very moving documentary but it offered no solutions. What a shame that they had Major Neill Franklin right there and only used him to describe the problem, when he really has that solution. Neill is executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, with 80,000 police, judges, prosecutors, and supporters in 118 countries. We know that to remove the violence, reduce deaths, disease, crime, and addiction, while saving billions of dollars, we must legalize and regulate all drugs.
An interesting news piece. This completely ignored the well-to-do parts of Downtown around the Harbor, and also the rich burb-like parts of northern Baltimore. But the problems depicted seem real. A lot of the boarded-up row houses have been bought but look abandoned due to Hopkins Hospital expanding. Baltimore is racially & sub-culturally stagnant for the last decade+ -- none of the neighborhoods have changed dramatically except around Patterson Park. It's lagging but not as bad as this depicts
Right! Cause different black, brown, white, yellow and red tribes have never hated eachother or waged war against eachother. That's something new entirely that has only happened the last 100 years.
Man, this is really grim. The really sad thing is the situation for the black population of inner city Baltimore seems to defy a solution. I mean, it has been this way for many decades and it just keeps repeating itself with each successive generation.
Yet we all know why but no one is prepared to admit it. The one thing that hasn't been tried. The thug culture, drill, gangsta rap? Are we finally going to admit how corrosive it is and has been? It went from a community/political message/the message. To dog whistle stick it to the man. To thug life, gangster paradise, c walk. To smoking on you're spot. These opps got smoked and these opps got rolled up. It's gone sour. Then there is the no snitch policy. Children are being shot dead in this city every week. Aren't child killers the most hated section of society? Yet the community protects them. Then there is responsibility. You can never EVER take responsibility whilst blaming everyone else for your problems.
The city I live in and love. These are the neighborhoods the kids I work with come from. I've seen and them and worked here. We need a new systemic approach to the problems we face in order for genuine change to occur.
A lot of changes have occurred since this was filmed. Some of these changes were made to make things better..... The city is more terrible and say worse than its ever been!!!
I used to live in Baltimore and during high school I had friends that lived in all around the city. The city is bad, and a lot of the places you mentioned are ok. However, that's just a small portion of the city. You'll see this if you travel a few blocks outside any of those areas.
Im a white male. In 2002 I got lost, walking in Baltimore. Wandered into some pretty rough neighborhoods. Black people on every corner. Was offered various kinds of drugs multiple times. Not very comfortable, to say it mildly. But soon realized that all I had to do was to say: No! And the dealers walked to the next pedestrian without a word. They were selling a product to those willing to buy. Plain and simple. Since I wasnt taken for a cop (Im overweight and always using sweatshirts and sweatpants) there was no hostility either. Back at my hotelroom at the Days Inn Inner Harbour after hailing a cab, I pondered the fear I felt for a few minutes, and wondered how people become after living in the ghetto for years, feeling unsafe all the time. It must be HELL.
kjemma
Wow! Good insight.
Gorgon Don
Absolutely.
i got lost in the city once but i just said no and there was no problems !
It is
kjemma your lucky to be alive
I was born in Baltimore in 1980s. My son will never set foot there. Every parent owes it to their child to get as far as possible from that town.
Coming from the inner city high rise projects of Baltimore (34 years) I know that the city can change. Stop looking for someone outside to bring change and just do it yourselves. So many of us have gone away from helping the elderly to build self worth within. We step over or keep walking by with blinders on, or look at situations just as entertainment value. I myself, very guilty of the very thing that I'm referring to. At least I'm becoming aware and taking action to change, not just identifying. I've had my run in with the law being young and dumb, but their comes a time when ignorance is no longer a defense.
Well said, Joseph.
Joseph, your understanding of the problem is paramount. The bigger problem is not having enough people like minded as yourself. And when people enough do, you need to get those people together, when this is done results can be obtained from your meetings. Since these things are not likely to happen, society, and police will not change their attitudes. Worse than that new generation, innocents growing up now will never have a chance they need
You're right, Joseph.
Joseph Johnson Well said.
Joseph Johnson Oh. And black women need to step it up as well.
I wonder how many people commenting here watched the entire video before commenting? This issue is not simple, it's complex, it's not recent, it began before many of the commenters were born.
Len Adams The issue is not when it started... the issue is... what the hell are these people going to do to stop it. It seems to me that the people in this video are blaming everyone but themselves for their problems. We all have choices and it does not matter if your poor.. Being poor does not make you commit crime. I grew up poor, in a poor integrated neighborhood and we did not commit crime. We got an education and made something of ourselves. One big difference we had was, our fathers lived with us and guided us. My Father had two jobs but always found time for us.My Mother stayed home and made sure we did our homework and we had to do chores. The government can't fix these problems... the police can't fix these problems... The problems can only be fixed by the parents, by raising their children the right way.
eleanornjim I think the history of the situation matters. And I don't think the solution is as easy as you imply otherwise it would have been solved by now. Many of the fathers in the video are in jail for much greater lengths of time than in other neighborhoods because of police and sentencing policy. By the way, did you watch the video? I still wonder how many commenters are responding to the video.
eleanornjim well what if your dad was put in prison when you were a child for a crack charge and was out of your life for 10 years. who would you blame for that?
Bradley Bergeron I would put the blame on the person who did the wrong thing.
Bradley Bergeron My dad.
It is tragic that there is a group of people who think that a life of crime and prison is their future. I do see the breakdown of the family unit in these neighborhoods where people are having kids with lots of different people, kids wit no guidance. How do we fix it? My hubby and I married young in college with nothing, supported ourselves with little money and built a great life. The difference? It's what we knew. Kids mirror their future on what they grow up seeing. My kids are following me.
Raised in Harlem New York my family is from Baltimore Md. I have family in Baltimore and have experienced the change in New York as well as Baltimore first hand. I want to thank you for bringing a fair and honest report of the major issue in our urban areas and the end results. Thank you . This has to be addressed.
I had a problem living in the hood, bad lifestyle, no direction, no future. I had kids, saw where it was heading. I moved out. Problem solved...
Problem is, not everybody can afford moving out in the first place.
@@Gabriel-br4qe problem is in the entire existence of human kind man had never been to space let alone walk on the moon. Until they just did it. My point is it is a mindset. If you want to escape make a plan.
@@alexanderx3554 Are you really comparing socioeconomic issues with the moon landing? lol tell me if apollo 11 would have happened if they had cut their funding. They had a mindset, yeah, and also millions of taxpayer dollars.
@@Gabriel-br4qe Shut up
Gabriel Pieratti Thank You Gabriel! Some people paint life with a broad stroke. What works for one person may not work for the next. Moving away is not always the answer. Everyone has a unique set of circumstances and we should not be so quick to pass judgement on one another, because we don’t know all the details.
The Mayor has no idea what is going on in the city of Baltimore!
They do. They don't care. It's intentionally done in the sense that they want to perpetuate classes and an American aristocracy, not a culture of opportunities and merit. The we are still fighting the war of American independence.
@@mengshun Yep. Everything she said was just that old political rhetorical mumbo jumbo.
Ppl most understand that crime is needed. it's a business .courts,jail, funeral, politicians, government ,police. It's all a big Monopoly game for power while acting like they r trying to help. But really everybody is in it for they self
This was back in 2012. Fast forward to 2015 and the murder rate is the highest it's been for 20 years!!!
+Mutumbo000 hmmmm... whats happened since 2012 ? the movement to not let police do their job. its very difficult to stop CRIMINALS when police arent being allowed to do their job.
It's Baltimore what do you expect. Here in upstate NY we have a once proud and prosperous city on the Genesee, Rochester that has become synonymous with violence and mayhem. Anytime a violent crime or wicked street fight breaks out in that city, the usual response is "hey it's Rochester where killing is a way of life" horribly sad but true.
Demography is destiny. Shift in demography=shift in civilization
And now just had 343 murders in 2017
It's 2018 and the murder rate is still climbing and breaking records. I don't see anything changing anytime soon. Welcome to Bodymore, Murderland lol
I live in Baltimore and I'm proud of it , no matter what happens in it. I also saw a lot of places I drive by in the video
Funny Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said during the riots a few years ago " Give those who wish to destroy, space to do that". She has added to the despair and destruction of a once great city and it's people.
rick torz mayor Blake is like Trump on a small scale
The irony with there not being businesses and jobs in these areas is the violence that has driven them out and that keeps them away. I was watching a show about Philadelphia and the businesses managing to hang on in the bad areas were constantly victims of robbery and violence. I sure wouldn't put a business where I would get targeted for violence.
I understand that some people have it harder then others. But people are still responsible for their own actions. Criminals cant always blame the system for the mistakes they made.
I loved Baltimore as a child but by the time I got to my mid twenties, I realized that most people make situations negative. Jealousy, envy, greed, and lust makes them act like children and they stay that way their entire lives. When I realized this, I slowly began to lose my love for this place. They are creating their own situation and then pointing the finger at someone else. I'll admit I've made mistakes but I corrected myself and moved on. I cannot say the same for a Baltimorean/moron.
Oh man!!! Very wise words even 9 years ago. I wish your voice had been heard more since then.
PEOPLE!!!! STOP. don't over complicate this. Three simple words can solve ALL this.....
Raise. Your. Children.
Not over night but for God sakes! Break the cycle! I get that these folks are disadvantaged, but one of these generations has to step up and put their kids prosperity at the forefront of all they do. I define my success as my children's sucess. If they fail, I failed. Accountability is a big ass pill to swallow when your consumed with your own selfish desires. and then compound the problem because your brainwashed into hopelessness thinking you will always and forever be a 'victim' by the system.
Husker Power Good one ... its the problem that they find themselfs victimized so hey stay and do nothing but play the victim... there are black guys that went to the fucking moon ... so that means that some of them broke that circle but others rather choose not to...
Husker Power Well obviously it is easy for you as a white boy to sit there, behind his screen lecturing about raising kids on social media, but it is not that simple when one is under a lot of pressure.
MrCollegeSmart my dad moved our family out of a ghetto area in Los Angeles and yeah he had to work three jobs to raise us in a safe neighborhood and that's what it takes...a parent to make the effort and want a change for their youth.
Plane Jane
"IT IS EASY FOR YOU AS A WHITE BOY TO SIT THERE BEHIND HIS SCREEN LECTURING"
Shit, can't white people read nowadays? I don't give a fuck what your WHITE dad did, even if that story is true, he is white so the same does not apply.
MrCollegeSmart I'm not white lol And not it wasn't easy but my parents wanted better for me and unfortunately for the kids in Baltimore, the parents aren't there or dont care. Not a race or cop issue...its a social issue.
I'm going to stretch a bit and as a white male this is "easy" for me to say.. I acknowledge that. There is an issue of pride or lack thereof. Many blacks are very proud of their heritage, their family unit, being American, and of making the most of opportunities their grandparents didn't have. It is noble and inspiring. On the other hand, many blacks do not have this pride, and will do whatever to make money, gain power, or otherwise serve themselves. More pride, better decisions, less hate.
Outsourcing all the jobs doesn't help much in the 70s it was a working class city.
The guy who blames the government is the perfect example of why nothing changes. They are waiting for the big hand of Uncle Sam to reach down and fix things? The fathers are in jail for their bad choices. And what is that guy doing to change things? Just venting and blaming does nothing. It is possible to stay in school and get scholarships and loans to college despite living in poverty. My parents gave me $125 a month for rent and I worked and paid my tuition and books and food. It is possible.
$125 from parents is a hand out, no matter who provides it. Be thankful that you have parents - and welcome to the realization that having parents that give two tuckuses about you is priceless and exactly why a lot of poor were put into that position and remain there. There Is No Substitute And a Huge Advantage and Privilege.
These kids have no parents...
He is 100% correct tho, Blacks aren't bringing drugs into the city!
@@mengshun Well then, maybe they should get real and become good parents and start good practices instead of standing around looking for someone else to blame.
@@trentlequire1643 Wow...amazing how you assumed all that. All the while calling someone else simplistic. Lmao...yt is great!
At what point do these people take responsibility? That's what adults with integrity do.
Good AlJazeera's documentaries......thumbs up...
Funny how all those guys making sad faces on camera have no problem killing and robbing their own people. They only look sorry when they are caught.
*AMEN!*
I grew up in Baltimore in the 1970s/80s. Saw my first killing (yes....actual moment) when I was 3. this story resonates with me. Thank you for making it and bringing the problem to others attention.
i just think one of the biggest problems is parents don't know how to have any kind of control these days ....especially when there no father figure around
face of just ice true however there a God
@@darrylthomas4147 Not enough
Then you need to figure out WHY the fathers don't take responsibility. I was moved out of Baltimore by my parents and finished growing up in the country, I'm 60 now and still think of Baltimore as my first home, I didn't know what drugs were until we moved to the country........ still don't use drugs. we moved out in 1973.
Young boys really benefit from having a strong male role model in their lives.
Thanks for this. I go to school near this city. It's disgusting knowing Bmore hasn't built a new school since 1959, yet they're pouring in millions for a new prison.
Im from Baltimore City and i have been living here all my life so im sort of use to the violence but i never interacted in any of those type's of behavior, My mother made sure i didnt get into any trouble, with that being said i think its more about parents not properly raising there children i think thats one of the biggest issues here in Baltimore. There are not many role model's for these children. If theres not a proper salution things will continue to stay the same.
Best new Baltimore documentary on my page - Down in the hole ...made by baltimore natives...shot during the riots !! Al jazeera is super dope and this was dope ! Salute
If there aren't any jobs, go out of town and get one. Send some money back home. Stop drug dealing and committing crimes. Don't make children out of wedlock...there are too many single mothers out there. Women: don't get pregnant at a young age. Go to work or further your education. Birth control is the responsibility of both sides. Avoid excessive intoxication that leads to bad choices. And most of all, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS. Breaking the law will keep you perpetually in the system. Stop blaming everybody else for your mistakes. Take pride in yourself and the way you present yourself. It will help improve your chances in getting a job. All this will improve the community as a whole.
Raven Fox Well, unless someone's willing to help them pay the expenses associated with moving to where the jobs are and living expenses until they secure that job, how are supposed to "go out and get one"? Are you going to do it? And can you guarantee that not one of those employers will turn them away because of the color of their skin? Someone else's bias is not their fault.
You're going in the right direction, but what you and many others fail to realize is that until racial discrimination is completely eradicated, minorities will never shoulder the blame completely. And that's probably what makes it so easy for some African Americans to pull the race card instead of reflecting on their actions and taking responsibility.
Ah, I see, you wanna do some "Who's the the better race" comparing shit, but the funny thing is you never denied any of it, therefore I stand by my comment. Every race has rapists, murderers, drug dealers and so on, don't ever try to make another race look bad while your race is on some crazy shit also.
They should demolish large parts of Baltimore and plant forests
+Patriotis yeah its worse. murder capital
I live in the city and I agree 100%
like whats happening in detroit. demolish vacant homes buildings and let nature take it back.
Reub3 they are doing the same thing in Youngstown OH.
and expand the parks and build more recreation fields !
Touching and insightful...thanks for the upload.
dont do the crime.then you wont go to jail fools
I was stationed in Maryland. If I was doing a documentary on Baltimore, I'd do it in the daytime too.
if baltimore wants to see change, it needs to start from within. Show everyone that you are willing to change, to take the highroad and to end violence and promote peace. EVERYONE needs to show this, not just a select few groups of people. Otherwise, there is no incentive for businesses to open in a city where being robbed or shot is a constant threat. No one wants to risk that. So start the change from within yourselves. Thats the only way.
The problem is that people are born into crime, drugs and poverty...and getting out is difficult. There is a lot of pressure from within (gang recruitment, hopeless home situation, terrible public schools where teachers aren't giving their all because a lot of students are already in the drug war, etc) so rising above that is very hard-even if opportunities are available to you. It's very sad. I love our city (Yes-I live in Baltimore) and we see it every day.
This.
The problem lies within the system period.
When Royce left office it went all down hill
the suggestion from the "community leaders" depicted in this documentary is that life in black neighborhoods is SO BAD because --- what-- the best and brightest are locked up on drug charges?
Families are so dysfunctional. Schools look like prisons. Kids barely stand a chance in Baltimore or any poor inner city. Parents have no morals or values what do we think will happen...
@LAFOLLETTER That stereotype is way off base actually
You add so much to the discourse.
Its not a race issue anymore,its a class issue.
Truth. I've never seen a whole lot of racism in Baltimore... We're all broke together.
Baltimore is rough. I live in DC & never even think about visiting. I used to, back in the 80 & 90's; went to the Inner Harbor and Baltimore Aquarium, but that was about it.
Baltimore voted for democrat for its mayor for 50 years. maybe a change in that must be in order.
I work for a Cemetery in St.Louis, Mo and its sad seeing how many young people we bury each week and I'm only 22 years old.
they need to change the culture of their environments. id say its unlikely that will happen so likely, Baltimore will end up like a shell of a city like Detroit, or soon to be Chicago.
shows how much you know baltimore has been bad for years and way more deadly than chicago!!!
+Lamar Jones is the murder rate not higher in chiraq?
+steve tafe It's not. Just the number of murders are higher. But Baltimore murder rate is way higher. Two different things. Baltimore had the population of Chicago, it would be 5 times worse in the number of murders every year.
The one major common denominator that exists between Balt., Det., & Chic. ........RULED BY DEMOCRATS FOR DECADES !!!!!!!
Chicago will never be like bmore or Detroit if you aint been here you need too come its beautiful even what you would call a hood is not like Detroit or bmore
Watching this during and after the 2020 presidential election. Lived in Baltimore for 6 years for school. Left 1yr after the film was taken. Felt huge pain in chest to see the country divides as much as it is now.
It seems the more people do to try and help the worse it gets?
He got shot over a basketball game? I'm done! 🤦🏻♀️
In 2004 I had a job interview in Balmore (as they pronounce it) and stayed in a hotel downtown. I had to RUN from my hotel to the job interview so nothing would happen to me. Balmore is a scary place. Just like Detroit, Newark, St.Louis, Gary or Oakland. Wowzers!
Please do a special on the children of the prisoners! I worked in low income public schools and an alarming number of the kiddos' dads are in prison. Imagine what it's like for them to visit their dad in jail.
Great journalism!!
If all the black people in Baltimore would renounce Democratic candidates in all public elections and vote instead for a Conservative candidate for one full year or term, I'll bet that many of these issues would be solved during that year or term. It would not be tasteful to some, because welfare, food stamps, and unemployment would be cut. But so would taxes be cut on small and large businesses, which would then begin to do more hiring. Within a few years, more people would be working, tourism would come back, and prosperity and pride would return. But the black people in Baltimore (and indeed in many large American cities) will never do that. They are slaves to the Democrats. Nothing more.
Riveting! I especially like the coverage of Michelle Alexander. She wrote a book in 2010 that is just now receiving some attention ~ "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in an Age of Colorblindness". I highly recommend it. I'm also pleased that the creator of "The Wire", former HBO series, candidly admits that the war on drugs started as a war on blacks. THIS is why U/S. poli-TRICKANS, business/prison industrial complex don't want Al Jazeera widely available on cable/satellite networks.
blame is easy why can't people leave the color card out of it or do something positive instead of talking non sense
This has some excellent photography and is well written.
I love my city of Baltimore I just wish we could get it together soon
I agree with you my friend; however this is a segment of the black population. We never talk about black lawyers,doctors,engineers,working folk . Based on the insanity that we are viewing(this video) the opinion in America and throughout the world is that this is sum of who we are,and that is not true. I think those who blame government should honestly step back and take a look at the fact this conservation is being debated in the wrong circles, black folk need to begin to debate this issue.
just settled poor immigrants or refugees so they can revitalize and take advantage of the opportunity. its not the place that is bad, its the ungrateful people that live there.
My sister saw her first murder on her 6th birthday as we were on our way to a pizza joint to celebrate in Baltimore. The victim, who was stabbed, ended up on our car hood with blood pouring everywhere! Who in their right mind would want to live there!
6.57 Omar The Real Omar
If you replaced the black population of Baltimore with an equal number of people from China within a generation it would be another Hong Kong. Prosperous and dynamic with the best schools in the country. You know its true. This isn't 1965 and its certainly not 1865. If that community fails and their city crumbles its 100% on them and no one else.
Where u at mcnulty?
He´s trying to bust Snoop right now.
snoop been dead
Compared to the rest of the world, these black folks are rich and prosperous. There are several countries where people are ten times poorer, but they don't shoot each other.
Why not talk about the real reasons of the problem? The disintegration of the family, the lack of fathers, the rap/hip-hop culture, the lack of values?
1 every 100 american incarcerated ...land of FREEDOM!!
I don't have the best answer for anyone but myself, I don't have to choose the wrong way, or do what everyone else is doing, take the drug money save it up as much as possible, tell no one, by a one way ticket out of state and build a better life some where else. There are options. Blaming someone else when one can choose to make it better on their own, no one is going to listen to that.
Where's Mcnulty?
LOL
I came looking for him
In the words of Bubbles....Hey McNutty...my mainest man! lol
10:56 made it for me. And he is one of those who MUST know, since he's a part of the sytem.
So "The Wire" is more like a documentary movie....
Uh, yeah......
Great documentary, a bit short, but well done. thanks
It all starts with THE PARENTS.....unfortunately parenting skills need to be developed if we hope to have our kids come out BETTER than we did, which SHOULD be every parents dream......I don't care what anyone says, a woman cant raise a man without support of some kind.......when all the black men are locked-up, its the kids who suffer most, and the black family disintegration is perpetuated......young black men GET YOUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER
The breakdown of the Family is a tactic of cultural Marxism. It has been used against America since the 1960's, ushered in by the deliberately fabricated Feminist movement (Steinham, Freidan were paid by wealthy global elites to get women out of the home and to be promiscuous etc) and the Hippy movement: also designed to loosen morals of men and women and promote drug use. The counter culture -- get it? They continue this today: those behind it own the music industry, TV, Hollywood and they program society with their subversive output: the young are very impressionable and they know this. All of this country's deterioration has been deliberate and secretive.... It's been no accident and very hard to escape. Those behind it have infiltrated schools, universities, media (books, mags, music, novels, movies etc), politics, TV, news organizations: everything. The way to fight it is to become aware of the Agenda so you don't fall for their manipulations.
Lol. It's always someone else's fault why men turn to crime. Trololol. I agree single mothers should just abort the fetus pigs that way crime is down and crisis averted
My aunt lives in Baltimore and she lived in one of the GOOD neighborhoods (and a fire station was literally RIGHT across from her) and her car got stolen! But she moved.
Pointing the camera on people talking about the crimes they committed in the past like they were legends in their own time, really makes me sick.
The inner-city governments are a joke. How about this country start making things like it used to. That will create jobs. I'm not sure these folks would want the jobs. But, It's a start. Do these people really want a job? It's hard to be a local legend working an honest 40 hour week. The welfare state culture has gone on too long. As planned.
***** What has my life to do with it? What about the content of the vid.? Do you have any real thoughts or insights about Balto. or is it easier to throw lame insults?
I went to my aunts house (which is near East North Ave. and Aisquith St.) We were playing outside and suddenly we heard a gunshot from the alley. We ran back inside and heard our aunt crying. Luckily, none of us were hurt, but the man who was shot was killed that day. A very sad day.😢
Three simple words GET A JOB! Mexicans that don't speak English can find work in the USA.
Rick Rodriguez But what happens when they're rejected from every job they apply for because of the color their skin? What then?
Danicka Addams we comecto this country sometimes without the paperwork to work, STILL FIND WORK. We come without speaking English..STILL FIND WORK. We come to an alien culture and adapt, open up stores across the communities we live in, work and raise families. We value hard work and family unity, we respect our women and elders and we take pride in ourselves..there's no excuse
Very deep I feel all black youth should see this video thank you very much # Respect
Move out. Join the military, etc.
I'm from Maryland. I've been in baltimore. I've gone down that street multiple times where that man was shot. It's scary
Donnie Andrews was in The Wire! He was one of Omar's homies, I guess Omar's character was actually based on Donnie's life... interesting
When youth are put in jail for five months waiting for trial there has to be an accommodation made to keep their education going. How are they going to recover if they are found not guilty?
THAT MAYOR STILL HAS TO GO.......
The fact is the people who live in Baltimore love it just the way it is. They represent Baltimore and its reflective in every aspect of what they are all about. Far more dangerous the any other city and they relish in the fact that it's what makes Baltimore number one.
every resident of baltimore should get, mandatory, a automatic rifle (like ak 47 or ar 15) with 500 rounds a month and a high capacity pistol (like a glock) with 200 rounds a month. mandatory !
my grandfather lives in baltimore , baltimore have ever since the fatorys closed and the harbour been a high crime city !
al jazeera reports on the US.....right. Bye.
So? Better listen to FOX News or CNN, huh? Yeah, that is real, honest and investigative journalism...
Wow that was amazing
OMAR COMIN' !!!
What's interesting is that AlJazeera had the courage to investigate the drug issues in Baltimore City.
As a former resident of Baltimore City I wonder where is the American investigative journalism? Where is CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox? Does AlJazeera care more about our communities than our own news system? Why are American news sources turning their back on American communities?
i live here in Baltimore and its nothing like this here.these look like little punks trying to be hard core.this low budget supposed to be movie is not showing how bad Baltimore really is.the producer should have gotten some real G's so people can really see how it is here.the crime here is off the charts.not a good place to live and definitely not a good place to raise kids
+tweetloveable To be fair this is a decent documentary showing some of what is going on. It may not show how hardcore as it is, but it demonstrates some of the problems in Baltimore.
no hassle yes I guess that would be fair.i take it back
You are lovely.
I am Born and raised in Baltimore City. and it is a way to better your self better Neighborhood's am 39 yrs old with two kids .and I refused to raise them in Lexington Terrace projects where I grew up but its all in you .
Bodymore, Murdaland!
I went to The Gambia in July and it's classified by the World Bank as "Least Developed" with a GDP per capita of $1,864. Almost everyone is very poor there. But crime is very low, most of the crime comes in the form of petty and unconfrontational theft. But the same cannot be said for all of Africa, look at the murder rates of Ivory Coast, Zambia, Uganda, Malawi, South Africa, the DRC etc.
I used to live in Baltimore. Mostly around the city and down by the pier is ok and looks good but once you go to one of the ghettos for example Stricker street it gets scary
Pssst. I have a secret. DON'T commit crimes and your chances getting locked up decline sharply.
another smart thing to do is to do as you are told, when the police tell you to do something, then you just do it, this is one other secret we white people know about and why we are so priviledged
A very moving documentary but it offered no solutions.
What a shame that they had Major Neill Franklin right there and only used him to describe the problem, when he really has that solution.
Neill is executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, with 80,000 police, judges, prosecutors, and supporters in 118 countries. We know that to remove the violence, reduce deaths, disease, crime, and addiction, while saving billions of dollars, we must legalize and regulate all drugs.
An interesting news piece. This completely ignored the well-to-do parts of Downtown around the Harbor, and also the rich burb-like parts of northern Baltimore. But the problems depicted seem real. A lot of the boarded-up row houses have been bought but look abandoned due to Hopkins Hospital expanding. Baltimore is racially & sub-culturally stagnant for the last decade+ -- none of the neighborhoods have changed dramatically except around Patterson Park. It's lagging but not as bad as this depicts
Well said
Right! Cause different black, brown, white, yellow and red tribes have never hated eachother or waged war against eachother. That's something new entirely that has only happened the last 100 years.
Man, this is really grim.
The really sad thing is the situation for the black population of inner city Baltimore seems to defy a solution. I mean, it has been this way for many decades and it just keeps repeating itself with each successive generation.
Yet we all know why but no one is prepared to admit it. The one thing that hasn't been tried. The thug culture, drill, gangsta rap? Are we finally going to admit how corrosive it is and has been? It went from a community/political message/the message. To dog whistle stick it to the man. To thug life, gangster paradise, c walk. To smoking on you're spot. These opps got smoked and these opps got rolled up. It's gone sour. Then there is the no snitch policy. Children are being shot dead in this city every week. Aren't child killers the most hated section of society? Yet the community protects them. Then there is responsibility. You can never EVER take responsibility whilst blaming everyone else for your problems.
A lot of issues here that make a very deep and complex problem. But I think the one thing to focus on is parenting.
The city I live in and love. These are the neighborhoods the kids I work with come from. I've seen and them and worked here. We need a new systemic approach to the problems we face in order for genuine change to occur.
A lot of changes have occurred since this was filmed. Some of these changes were made to make things better..... The city is more terrible and say worse than its ever been!!!
the wire - great stuff ..
I used to live in Baltimore and during high school I had friends that lived in all around the city. The city is bad, and a lot of the places you mentioned are ok. However, that's just a small portion of the city. You'll see this if you travel a few blocks outside any of those areas.
No The Wire Top comment!?