Children in Baltimore throwing stones (bricks) to defend themselves against the police is universally recognized around the world as a symbol of resistance from the Palestinian struggle. However throwing stones is also seen by the police and media pundits as a form of "thuggery."
Police threw stones back at youth before being pelted with stones in Baltimore from Now This News
It's great see the mainstream media analyzing Baltimore's recent protests through historic context. Pop culture news rarely takes into account history's crucial role in the present and future especially if historical injustices and past crimes such as apartheid ie segregation in the United States facts into play. Baltimore is a run down to borrow an American saying. There are many abandoned buildings spread across the cities in both poor and middle class neighborhoods and a stone throw away from downtown and wealthier neighborhoods. Baltimore sits at the end of what was once the massive industrial region of the United States, now known as the Rust Belt.
A Brief History of the Rust Belt
Detriot is famous across the United States and around the world for being the motor city. Until the 1960s, Detroit was the home of American auto manufacturing. Ford, DuPoint and Chrystler churned out. an abandoned and half lived in city that resembles parts of Chernobyl or the ghost cities of China. Detriot is 8 hours plus away from Baltimore. It is also a border town along the U.S.-Canadian border regarded as one of the least non militaristic and peaceful borders in the world. One only wonders why.
Back to Baltimore. Like Detroit, Baltimore nicknamed "Charm City" used to be a point of reference for culture and trade in Maryland and along the Northeast region. Long before Mercedes Benz revolutionize transportation, most traders and peoples relied on trading ships and ferries to recieve products, goods and move people including slaves who were kidnapped, trafficked or managed to runway to freedom. Since the city's finding until the end of 19th century, Baltimore's harbor was one of many stopping hub for ships and peoples heading to New York, Boston, Detroit and south to DC. By the way, DC is less than an hour away from Baltimore. However the two cities are as different as night and day. It was in Baltimore where the U.S. national anthem was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812. During the same war, British ships attempted to bombard and outright destroy the city describing it as a "nest full of pirates." Fort McHenry that sits near the city's harbor became a resistance post against the British forces. Eventually Baltimoreans defeated and drove the British out of the city while Washington, DC was burned by the fleeing British. In the 20th Century, the city became the home of the Baltimore Ravens (football) and Oriales (baseball). Both teams are well known around the country for the championships and players.
|Benyamin Netanyahu on mowing lawns and the police by Bendib|