Discussion on the Frontlines - Bobby Marvin

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From community activists to Hip-Hop artists, fighters and writers came together with an extended invitation to the general public to “The State of Black Baltimore,” a town hall forum to discuss the many ills that oppose the African-American community in Baltimore City.

Moderated and organized by E the poet emcee of Torchlight Entertainment, panelists included J Pope, Darrin Muhammad (The Community Forum Think Tank), Farraji Muhammad and Raquel (WEAA 88.9 FM), Tracie Jiggets (Baltimore Black Arts), Jabari (Solvivaz Nation), Labtekwon (Hip-Hop Institute of Baltimore) and Nnamdi Lumumba (Democratic Uhuru Movement). Over 60 people from ages 4-70 crowded into a small room at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center to discuss a city in peril.

Panelists and attendees made youth top priority, with all agreeing on the division in the African-American community as the primary cause for the youth’s destructive behavior. Others pointed to the negative influences portrayed on television and the radio as the main factors that encourage disruptive behavior.

“Our communities are hurting and we can’t look for solutions from outside. It starts small and conversations like this help to guide adults and youth to the organizations that are working for change. We need more open forums to develop, encourage, and support community activism, ‘’ said Tracie Jiggets, Director of Baltimore Black Arts.

Parents that attended the town hall meeting expressed their concerns with the inconsistencies of the public school system, while also accepting responsibility for not questioning the school board or holding anyone accountable for their actions. Baltimore City educators that were present voiced their frustration with parents and administration for their lack of support. Hip-hop artist and youth advocate Ooh took matters in his own hands and decided to act as a mentor and a surrogate father to one of his former students that he rescued from neglect.

Panelist Nnamdi Lumumba raised the importance of engaging the public in the political process and providing information of local politicians and their platforms. “The question that we’re dealing with is politics and being able to impact the decisions that are being made either at City Hall or state legislation,” said Lumumba. “I think they [ local governments] trapped us into doing community programs that are depended upon city handouts or have us doing programs that don’t give us any power. Part of what we’re trying to do is give people political power and control over their community.”

Although their efforts were praised tremendously, community organizations were urged to improve by finding other alternatives to government funding.
“One of the things that most organizations don’t understand is that once they find a funding train, they modify all of their organization’s operations around that funding train. Organizations that work in communities have to be able to be more flexible,“ said local attorney William Honablew Jr. “They have to be able to be flexible to meet the needs of the community. If your mission is to educate youth and the government’s sources for funding has diminished, then you need to be able to find alternatives to create that funding yourself. If you can’t control your money you can’t control your own destiny.”

There weren’t any local or state public officials present to participate in the discussion. E the poet emcee stated that an attempt was made to contact City Hall but no one responded to the invitation. However, another forum is scheduled for September which will remain open for the public as well as elected officials.