A couple of Baltimore Community Initiatives
I’ve developed a strong distaste, as of late, to being overly critical or cynical toward other people or organizations attempting to do “Jesus work” so I’ll only announce these two initiatives - offer a word of encouragement - and a work of advice.
Let’s start with Young Peace Incorporated. This group is led by Reverend Clarinda Burston. Young Peace was organized in 1992 and is “designed, destined, and determined to bring salvation to a dying generation.” One of their major initiatives is called 100 Preachers on 100 Corners which will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2006 here in Bmore. As is obvious by the name, this event plans to crowd select Baltimore corners with members of the clergy who will be instructed to “take back the streets of Baltimore from the hands of the enemy” by “sharing God’s Word”. Last year, over 220 “souls accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior”. For more information call (443) 739-5442.
A Word of Encouragement
Rev. Burston and the Young Peace Incorporated Family have an ambitious, yet honorable goal. Anyone attempting to bring some level of positivity to dark and damning streets of our city should be applauded. I pray for even greater success this year for this event.
A Word of Suggestion
I would encourage Rev. Burston and Young Peace to #1: strengthen your focus of this event by bringing a greater emphasis on provided tangible resources to those who you find on the corner. #2: Explore sustainability options for this initiative that will prolong the successes and find a way to keep those preachers connected to the communities (if they’re not already engaged).
Next, there is the Baltimore Algebra Project. This group of students follow in the noteworthy teachings of Bob Moses who created The Algebra Project “to help close the gap between universal public education and universal completion of high school college preparatory math courses.” The Baltimore Algebra Project has been quite active in the area and very vocal in their demands for a quality education and the equitable distribution of resources. On March 1-3, 2006, they will be organizing a Student Strike at 11AM each day. They’re asking students to walk out of school and march to different areas each day to demand the funding owed by the State of Maryland, and prevent 15% of schools being closed. For more information contact Ryan Mason at 443-904-5646.
A Word of Encouragement
I am excited to see how the social justice movement continues in these young people who seek drastic changes and have the courage to employ drastic measures to obtain them. They remind me of the youth activist of the past like Claudette Colvin and Barbara Johns. They give me hope that every generation will have a remnant of Believers who are willing to sacrifice to bring about change.
A Word of Suggestion
While I believe in drastic measures in times of staunch complacency and injustice, I would suggest that The Baltimore Algebra Project work to establish relationships will “inside advocates” and more community leaders (adults) who will walk side by side with them to bring about substantive change. Young folk - we need adults in the equation. They have money and votes to leverage in this political fight. In addition, we are in an election year. Timing is critical. Avoid confusing activity with accomplishment. Protest have their place, but eventually organized protests should open the door to the bargaining table. It’s not enough to be radical for the sake of being radical.
