Last night I had the opportunity to sit amongst an audience to watch journalist and television correspondent, Marc Lamont Hill, speak with community leaders and activists on the current state of Baltimore following the tragic death of Freddie Gray.
Needless to say, the conversation got very intense at times, but, I was honored to sit among a group of conscious minded and educated individuals to have a REAL conversation on the state of our country. What happened in Baltimore has happened in Florida, Ferguson, New York and every city where there’s poverty. Sadly, many of these city’s contains residents that are Black.
Much of the discussion revolved around the volatile relationship between law enforcement and the Black community. Thankfully though, some of that conversation also detailed some solutions, or the beginning of what may be viable solutions, to the long and turbulent history between people of color and law enforcement.
I was also intrigued with the various perspectives that were present in the room to discuss the misrepresentation of the Blacks in this country and in mainstream media. The discussion panel included attorney Tamika Mallory, Jeff Johnson, former gang members Orlando Gilyard and Shanduke, radio personality Civ Jones, activist Farajii Muhammad, councilman Brandon Smith, activists Jason Downs, Deray McKesson and Jay Morrison to name a few.
Watch the inspiring yet intense discussion below and share your thoughts.
Hill also recently sat down with rappers T.I., David Banner, The Wire actress Felicia “Snoop” Pearson, and Baltimore pastor Jamal Bryant, during a digital news special Loud: The Power of Baltimore’s Uprising, to the state of the city of Baltimore and much of the same concerns discussed in during Baltimore Speaks. You may watch below.
Source
