BALTIMORE The Three R’s Continued Race still matters in America. And race still informs life in

Baltimore. There are parts of Baltimore that are amazingly integrated. There are parts of Baltimore that are exclusively populated by a single racial group. There is a local knowledge that in parts of this city, if you are of a different race, it could matter.

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A challenged and renewed Baltimore is emerging. We are

clearer that “inasmuch as we do it for the least of these, we have done it for Christ.”

Concerned citizens of Baltimore have chosen to

respond to our reality in new and creative ways. I am aware of clergy groups, and others, who are providing services to those affected by the uprising. Clergy have been knocking on the doors of members of our communities inviting people to come out and talk to us about how we can address our realities in ways that provide sustained, systemic change. I am privileged to serve a congregation in Northeast

This time, in a city that is heavily black,

disproportionately poor, and one where many youth still emerge from the public school system underequipped to get jobs, continue their education, or have hope in a brighter tomorrow, violence erupted following the death of yet another black man at the hands of police. Generations of black people have grown up in this city and in each generation parents have had to have “the talk” with their children about how race still informs life for black people in this country. However, in light of growing hurt over the death

of Gray, the violence of a few people became the focus. Looting and destruction of property became synonymous with our city. Friends and family from around the country checked in to make sure we were all safe. Those of us who were here in 1968 when riots erupted around our country, including Baltimore, were offended by others’ characterizations of what happened here as riots. Our city had some unfortunate episodes. There was vandalism and looting. Looting and destroying other people’s property can never be condoned. Neither can we condone a system that ignores ongoing realities that people are forced to live in that continually conditions them to go through this life with little hope. This has been and is the reality of Baltimore. But that is not the only reality of Baltimore. Lost in much of the coverage was the response(s)

made by local, religious, and some elected officials. Yes, there was coverage of elected officials walking the streets as curfew approached. There was some coverage of walks made by leaders through communities to remind people that we are better than throwing rocks and setting fires. However, largely lost is the response that continues to take place in Baltimore.

Above & below:

Youth and children in Baltimore assisting in

cleaning up their neighborhood after the protests

Baltimore. When we learned that the schools were going to be closed on April 29, we announced through social media that we would provide a safe space and meals for children on that day. Another of Baltimore’s realities is that more than half of the children who attend Baltimore City Public Schools qualify for free lunch because of household income. When the sun rose on April 29 we had the Baltimore show up that much of the media missed. We had people who never heard of our church show up with food, water and energy. College students and senior citizens came because, outside of the camera’s lights, they knew that our response mattered. A challenged and renewed Baltimore is emerging.

We are clearer that “inasmuch as we do it for the least of these, we have done it for Christ.” Then the church will continue to demonstrate its response with relevance in these times.

Walter Parrish III is pastor of Northside Baptist Church in

Baltimore, Maryland, former general secretary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention and is a member of the BWA Budget and Finance Committee and the Baptist World Aid Committee.

I believe that what we learned from the events of the last week of April 2015 deserve ongoing conversation. 26 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE