Conclusion

1619 – 2019: 400 Years

As we survey the landscape of American history, the violence and degradation committed against African Americans is sobering. The persistence, faith, and dedication of African Americans in working for equality is equally humbling. Where do we go from here?

Our hope is that in reading this historical overview you may better understanding the structural framework of racism in American history and the damage systemic racism has done to people of color in our country. We hope we can better understand the insidious nature of racism. We hope we can better understand our white culpability. We hope we can gain a self-reflection that enables us to recognize and call out “color-blind” racism. We hope we can inspire more people to become antiracist activists. We hope this website can be one platform that helps us share responsibility in resisting structural racism and its pervasive damage to our society. Race is a social construction with a history. We can’t change our history, but we can learn from it, redefine our present, and create a future that is built on a structure that is fair, just, and equitable.

The Baltimore Story project is one part of these collaborative efforts to remember our history but also to foster community engagement so that we may build a more socially just Baltimore and Maryland. We encourage you to explore the rest of the website to discover more information about Baltimore and its residents who are resisting systemic racism and working together to bring about positive change in our local communities