Doc's Castle Originals Archives - Page 6 of 11

GBMC Working to End Domestic Violence Through Gender Role Reversal? (Gallery)

We’ve already seen the backlash of the RompHim on social media but how do you feel about men switching roles for a good cause?

Like every year, Spring 2017 is a season full of weekends for 5K Walks and Celebrations. This spring I went to a total of three 5K Walks, one of those walks being the GBMC Walk A Mile In Her Shoes 5K event, one of many programs geared to the education and ceasing of Domestic Violence amongst both Women and Men.

The GBMC Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event was organized by the Greater Baltimore Medical Center’s SAFE Domestic Violence Program, a program that provides crisis counseling, safety planning, advocacy and resource linkage for GBMC patients. It’s the only hospital in Maryland with such a program with as many services that it provides for its patients. The program helped aid over 300 individuals in 2016. Hearing a number as high as that lets someone in on the seriousness of domestic violence and the dire need for people to come out to support a cause to spread awareness.

The 2nd Annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes 5K Walk was a huge success. Sponsors and participants raised over $41,000 to donate to an important cause. Three of the biggest sponsors of the event were Towson University, Auxiliary and Sheppard Pratt Hospital. Many others contributed in other ways such as entertainment and providing brochures and pamphlets of information about abuse. Giants Food Supermarket donated bagels, coffee, and CBS Friends and Neighbors Campaign provided music and free prizes to participants in the walk.

The GBMC Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event was full of a welcoming amount of over 250 walkers, a number that the chairman of the SAFE program Laura Clary hopes to increase in the coming years while they continue to organize events similar to Walk A Mile In Her Shoes.

Though a number of men only wore heels during the opening ceremony of Walk A Mile In Her Shoes, it served a great purpose of expressing empathy for the many women of domestic violence. Even if it only was for a few minutes, these men showed their concerns for the many women and men subjected to mental, physical, and emotional abuse.

View more photos of Walk A Mile In Her Shoes in the gallery below.

Domestic violence is an issue I’m very passionate about because I have love one’s who suffer the consequences of scars and burns from being emotionally involved in a relationship with someone who physically and mentally abuses them. It’s a serious matter that I often ponder how certain people are suddenly put into.

In many instances, I’ve asked victims of their reasoning for why they stay in a dangerous environment when they know that their situation is detrimentally unsafe. Each time, I was given the rationalize answer referring to what love is for the couple; like each situation is deeper than the surface. But I can never understand the justification of being abused.

There are programs available for both men and women to get involved in to help spread awareness of domestic violence and other forms of abuse in Baltimore, MD. The people who work with these programs are specially trained on how to deal with victims of mental, physical, and verbal abuse. So when it comes to counteracting justifications like claims that I and many others cannot rationalize, there are trained professionals that still can assist individuals into a safe place.

If a victim of domestic violence needed a place to find help, the Baltimore County Government website is a good place to start. It’s where victims can find the contact information for programs, like the 24 Hour Crisis Line, Turnaround, Inc., Department of Social Services, and more. All of this programs that help hundreds of cases of abuse from people as young as newborns to the elderly.

Do you know of any programs in Baltimore that aid victims of domestic violence? Leave your comments below to possibly help a person in need.

Whiskey’s Birthday Hip-hop Showcase at DC’s Art Gallery The Fridge (DCM Gallery and Recap)

People pour into a one room warehouse full of astounding art on a beautiful Saturday evening. The Fridge, a place where artists from DC gather to spread their inner creative abilities, whether it be through painting, poetry, singing, dancing, and any other art form a person can think of. It’s on this particular day, we all gathered to listen to spoken-word and a group of talented local hip-hop artists performs in celebration of DC blogger Whiskey Girl, owner of the Whiskey and Poetry Brand and also the host of the Embrace The Crazy Podcast, birthday celebration.

I don’t know what to make of the start of the event on whether it was good luck or bad luck. Outside of the venue, there was a fire that occurred at Capital Hill Tandoor & Grill, directly across the street from The Fridge. People crowded the streets to sneak a peak of the damage inside the restaurant. It’s uncertain whether there were any injuries during the time.

I have tunnel vision for the arts, I guess. Haha.

Otherwise, the evening was nothing but love once I entered the showcase. The host Rich Rocket opened the night telling peers to “give an energy that can be reflected by the audience.” So whenever an artist performed, they needed to give an energy that the audience could mirror. If the performance was worth a standing ovation, it’s what the artist got. That was what made the evening lit. Everyone was respectful to everyone’s art. Artist worked with what they deserved.

A few artists to name that were in attendance were Donnie Breeze, Rello, Starve Marv, Mike Evann, Young Mally, and DC Kash. Each artist came with their own individual swag representing where they come from. Some of these artists even came long distances to share their unique flair; Starve Marv from Florida, and Donnie Breeze and Rello from Baltimore city.

I was so proud to see Baltimore recording artists Donnie Breeze and Rello perform at the Fridge. I put on my proud parent smile as I watched them perform. Whenever I see people from Baltimore out of their element, I get super hyped to support them. It’s the idea that they don’t get that type of love in Baltimore. The love was abundantly overwhelming from DC event goers because, like the Rich Rocket told them to do, they came with an energy that demanded an equal response.

Again I found myself asking why can’t it always be like this?! Every time I leave Baltimore City hip-hop scene to experience another city’s hip-hop atmosphere I ponder what could it be that my city is doing wrong which is preventing artists from getting the recognition they deserve? First, it happened as I went to Rockview Entertainment’s hip-hop showcase in Queens, NY while I was in attendance for support of DMV artist Jae Ducketts. Now I’m in DC, and the love that their peers showed was phenomenal.

I want to bring the attention back to the promoter of the event, always. The power of support is always in the event thrower. In this case, it was Whiskey who’s birthday may have been the cause of such a great turn out. But such a turnout was worthy of being mentioned when comparing to the turnouts of open mic and showcases in my hometown.

What I notice about attending both the events in Washington, DC and Queens, NY is the hosts for each event reminded their audience the importance of showing others respect when they have the floor. It’s appalling that the majority of the audience were old enough to understand modest mannerisms. But maybe that’s what it is needed in Baltimore. Promoters in Baltimore should often push more participation from the audience at the start of their events? It’s something worth pondering.

Here are some moments captured during the show by Doc’s Castle Media.

What are some ways to show support for independent artists? Leave your feedback in the comments below.

Ever heard the difference between the #NewBaltimore and #OldBaltimore music beaf back in 2014? Read “#NewBaltimore vs. #OldBaltimore. We’re All Crabs” on Doc’s Castle Media.

Doc Finally Joins A Podcast Series as a Regular (Watch Episode 4 of Busy Doing Nothing Podcast)

It was a long time coming for Doc to join a team of podcasters. Being interviewed and making guest appearances have become a regular thing. It should be expected for Doc to be added to a line-up of great host for the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast, a web series/podcast series hosted on YouTube.

Busy Doing Nothing was started by Free Minds Clothing Co. creator and main Chris “Mills” Morton and also features three regular co-hosts Christian “Pastor” Dewitt, Jill AKA J Heavy and Doc’s Castle Media’s own Taylor “Doc” Walker. The podcasts focus on various topics starting from celebrity gossip, music video reviews, “adulting,’ current events, and previously mentioned on Doc’s Castle Media Loafer’s Sports Bar and Grill closures and controversy.

In episode 4 of the Busy Doing Nothing Podcast, the four host interview their first local Baltimore guests; music producer Jonny B and hip-hop artist 7ucus (pronounced Loo-cus). Music guests join in on the conversation sharing their views on polygamous relationships, Beyonce’s beyhive, and generational differences. Watch the full episode below.

At the start and end of each episode, hosts make a toast opening and closing the show. Accompanied with each episode’s salute is an alcoholic drink that hosts rate the taste weekly on the podcast’s Instagram page. In this episode, the drink highlighted was Afrohead Rum. There wasn’t a group rating for this rum but it was the preferred drink during this episode.

Other drinks featured on Busy Doing Nothing are Ciroc Summer Colada Vodka, Christian Brothers Brandy, Barefoot Moscato, and Doc’s favorite drink to sing about, Jose Cuervo.

What drink do you think the Busy Doing Nothing crew should try for the next podcast? Leave your comments below.

2nd Annual Light City Baltimore Event Ends In Success (Doc’s Castle Picture Gallery)

Baltimore’s annual week-long art festival that incorporates a mixture of lights and sculptures ended this past Saturday with a success bringing out more participation from businesses and festival-goers throughout the city.

The event was held starting at the peak of evening hours and ending just in time for bedtime; between the hours of 7p to 10p. For nine nights, visitors enjoyed parades, tasty cuisines, entertainment, and beautiful sightseeing in the heart of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

According to an article found on Baltimore’s news station website WJZ, “Estimates show that roughly 470,000 people attended the 2017 Baltimore Light City festival during its nine-night run. That’s a 17 percent increase from the previous year.”

The festival brought lots of revenue for the hotels and businesses in the downtown area. Businesses, like Hotel Monaco, even partnered up with Light City organizers with intentions to attract Light City attendees. Shahram Khan, general manager of Hotel Monaco says they provided hotel deals, and in return, it was a win for the hotel.

Each glowy night was a spectacular experience for art lovers and foodies. Simply through walking the Inner Harbor’s square, visitors were able to experience the exhibits lined up just a few steps from each other.

For those who were unable to visit the light exhibits in the downtown Inner Harbor, Doc’s Castle Media captures the moment for you. View the opening night of Light City Baltimore below.

Dates for next year’s Light City Baltimore will be discussed later this week. To keep up with Light City Baltimore updates, subscribe to www.lightcity.org or follow them on Instagram at @LightCityBmore.

Did you attend Light City Baltimore? Tell us your favorite attraction in the comments below.

Listen to #LoveandHipHop Baltimore Featuring #StrongWayRadio and #DocsCastleMedia on Embrace the Crazy Podcast by Whiskey Girl (Gallery)

Doc did something out of her element over the weekend. Dun, Dun, Dun. Doc’s Castle Media was a special guest alongside the owner of the Strong Way Radio brand on DC’s favorite Whiskey Girl podcast, Embrace the Crazy, to discuss the topic “Love and Hip-hop.” It was an interesting show, indeed, and I’m sure many of my readers will know why.

Most people who know me, know that I’m not very open with my love life. I’m far from the mushy type. Many may recall me being more of a goofball than a love bug. Until more recently, I’ve even gone as far as YEARS since posting a single photograph online of myself with a fling. But apparently, times have changed for Doc because exclusively for the DC Whiskey Queen, I’ve opened up my love life as an open romance novel for her podcast and it wasn’t bad at all.

As stated on WG’s Whiskey and Poetry Blog,

WG is a blogger, self-published author, spoken word artist and single mother with a full-time professional career in the nonprofit mental health arena. She lends her unique voice and perspective to her own WG’s Embrace the Crazy blog as well as MyTrendingStories.com. In addition to writing, her true passions include public work and serving as a mouthpiece to address mental health issues within the black community.

Embrace the Crazy podcast is a series of audio shows hosted by Whiskey Girl on her website WhiskeyandPoetry.com and Soundcloud. The series focuses on a plethora of topics ranging from hip-hop and poetry to mental health and “staying woke.” The sky’s the limit on her show.

While Karlito and I interviewed on the Embrace the Crazy podcast with Whiskey Girl, we covered topics on hip-hop and love, such as the Karlito and Doc love affair, couples collaborating with their brands, Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma beef, how local artists should prepare for hip-hop showcases, and much more. Listen to the full podcast below by visiting Whiskey Girl Souncloud.

After the podcast, the three of us did a raw photoshoot. Because I had so much fun, I thought it would only be right to share the photos on Doc’s Castle Media with the hashtags #BlackLove and #RelationshipGoals to fit the mood. View the gallery for Love and Hip Hop Episode of Embrace the Crazy Podcast below.

http://soundcloud.com/user-167368140/love-and-hip-hop-baltimore

How do you feel about couples collaborating on projects for their brands? Do you think it can be done? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Have you heard Doc’s interview with MDMA Cobain on CutThaCheck Podcast? Listen to Episode Four on Doc’s Castle Media.

#PrayForLove: A Major Message After 2015 Paris Attacks

It’s one year after the ISIS terrorist attack on Paris. News outlets from around the world are giving their annual recap of what has changed since the attacks. Many still live in fear of what happened that night as over 130 people were killed from acts of terrorism enacted by ISIS. It became one of the deadliest attacks the country has faced in many years and the country is still working to recover from the eerie night.

In my Facebook memories, I was reminded of the tragedy and how it affected many people around the world. My social media timelines looked divided while people argued over whether to change their profile pictures to the French flag. People screamed about such coverage by our news stations in America covering those attacks as being a distraction from issues happening around our country. There was a fear that if people paid more attention to issues outside of the nation rather than the issues within, America would continue to fall by the wayside like there wasn’t enough compassion to go around. There was a lot of bickering between folks trying to persuade others on how they should feel about terrorism.

Experiencing the social effects of the Paris attacks brought me to the realization that many people are selective in what they choose to have empathy towards. I went on to share my thoughts on Facebook about what I believe could help us move past the grief. What I expressed to my Facebook friends is still relevant so I thought I’d share it again on Doc’s Castle Media as the first excerpt to #PrayForLove series, which is 8-months overdue. (haha) The attacks on Paris also was my motivation to start #PrayforLove.

Doc’s Facebook Post:

I see everyone’s point that’s being made about the Paris attacks yesterday. There are no right and wrong answers or statements, here. These are all opinions. I’m happy it has people talking about violence and making everyone think of ways to reduce these issues.

Actions are louder than words, and what these attackers are doing is making everyone speak! That is an action! It’s starting there. But we need to speak these thoughts so loud enough that it provokes people to make a move. We should talk about all the problems we’re facing in the world today so much it’s sickening; that it makes someone want to do better and it makes someone want to Lead as an example. We should challenge ourselves every time we hear about these horrendous acts to LOVE and to not argue who’s right or wrong! Talk about love. Love our neighbors, families, co-workers, pedestrians, strangers, and friends so we can BE BETTER people. Let the thoughts of being better people consume us every day by acknowledging every problem in the world and doing the opposite of what’s expected. There is no distraction from anything!

Y’all make me laugh saying this is a distraction from other stuff happening. Do y’all only want to focus on only one thing or something? Are y’all not capable of seeing more than one issue at a time? Is one place more important than the other? Who makes the decision on what is more deserving of everyone’s attention? It doesn’t even matter because change starts in the mind and body. It starts from within ourselves. It starts with a simple understanding of a word. It starts with understanding the meaning of Love.

The distraction is when you choose to think you’re right and someone else is wrong, and then y’all arguing about it, completely missing the point, and displaying the total opposite of what love really means. Get it together! Respect and love everyone, period.”

With that being said, there should be an exception to love.

How did you feel about the Paris attacks last year? Were you one of the many who changed their profile picture on Facebook to the French Flag? Leave your thoughts below.

Three Reasons To Be Tina Belcher (#DocsCastle Halloween Recap)

Every Halloween, I have to go all out and do my best to dress up as whatever the hottest trend of the year may be at the moment. For 2016, I decided to be the loveable Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers.

In Doc’s Castle Media history, I’ve dressed as some pretty questionable characters; as “ratchet girl” and “Tyler, the champion of courage.” This year I took an easier approach to finding a costume, partly because I procrastinated on buying the costume I really wanted, which was Donald Trump’s musty toupee. But I mainly ran with the idea of being Tina because I knew everyone would “get me” for simply being her.

Bob Burger’s has taken the Fox Network by storm. The show is on its 7th season, and it’s going strong holding it’s 7:30 pm ETA spot Sunday evenings on Fox with other longer running shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy.

Everyone loves Tina Belcher because she is so weird but absolutely loveable. How could anyone not love her? A Tina fan cannot help but root for her as she lusts over Jimmy Junior for a lengthy 7 seasons. Or how about when she’s put in charge as baby sitter of her two younger siblings Jean and Louise? We just know that something is bound to go down because of her leniency to care about the consequences of her actions while horseplaying with her little brother and sister. Tina can be confused as the responsible one, but she’s just as fun as the rest of the Belcher family.

When I went out for Halloween as this spunky teen, I received so many compliments. Whether it be that I nailed her look or people confessed their love for her character on the show, everything was so positive. Those kind of reactions make me love participating in Halloween. It’s the only time of the year someone can dress up as anything and not be rejected by their peers for it.

Awesome!

It wasn’t enough to simply dress like Tina. I have to share my Three Awesome Reasons I’m Glad I Choose to Be Tina Belcher for Halloween, of course! So here it goes…

One: Tina can be an awesome role model.

If I had to choose role model of a cartoon character from what we know to be an adult cartoon, Tina Belcher would have to be the best candidate. Unlike Haley Smith from American Dad and Meg Griffin from Family Guy, Tina Belcher doesn’t try to be beyond her age. She’s only 13 years old, that’s around middle school years, while Haley and Meg are a few years older and well off in high school. Tina doesn’t annoy us with bickering hatred or whiney slurs towards her parents like the stereotypical television teenager. In place of that, is a burning yearning curiosity and imagination; something we never want to die within ourselves. She keeps any kid who’s spectating down to earth in a reality suitable for their age.

Two: No matter how weird Tina may be, she always ends up being true to herself.

This analogy can actually be addressed to Tina’s entire family, but to remain focused, Tina does this exceptionally well to be only a preteen. When dealing in shenanigans with her frenemy Tammy, she always unbothered with Tammy’s insults. She fails to get embarrassed easily whenever in a moment of uncertainty. But if there is a time she’s feeling threatened emotionally, it’s only for a split second as Tina is reminded by her Belcher family of her greatness. It’s amazing, and also makes Tina more funny because it’s like she has blinders on whenever a moment you’d expect her to react go completely left field. It’s those periods when she shows us how to remain true to ourselves. She leaves us with the message that being real with ourselves makes us happier, always.

Three: Tina is an aspiring author.

Tina is a writer, just like me! Tina spends her time writing erotic fan fiction about herself, her biggest crush, and her friends in her journals. She keeps her erotic stories in her composition notebooks with aspirations to share her work with peers one day. I can relate to her unyielding ambition because I journal too. Tina being a writer fit so perfectly for me because I can still take on role-playing her and carry my journal along the way if I need to jot something down.

Tina is the new sexy in these three ways so much so animators should model their future characters off of her spunk. What do you say? Who’s your favorite Belcher? Tell us in the comments below.

Did you see the awesome costumes of people dressed up for Free Comic Book Day? Read Free Comic Book Day: Visit Collectors Corner Now ( A #DCM Recap) on Doc’s Castle Media.

#YTubeVideoAlert! Delegation of Authority: What did #KorrynGaines Mean?

Everything that happens has a reason and a cause. That’s why I won’t knock the knowledge I’ve learned since the death of Korrynn Gaines, the 23-year black woman who was gunned down by police officers earlier this August in front of her 5-year-old son and the comfort of her own home.

Since Korrynn’s death, there’s are numerous questions about what truly happened during her 6-hour standoff with the Baltimore County Police Department. For several days, the general public was left in the dark about whether the police kicked her apartment door in while entering her apartment or if they obtained a key, and questions on whether she fired her shotgun at police first or if the police did.

Hearing so many questions regarding this shooting can make someone question if the people we put our trust in to protect and serve us are really honest in their dealings. It caused me to do a little more research about policy.

Previous to Korrynn’s most recent encounter with the Baltimore County Police Department, there was another incident with county police in March. The police interrogated the Korryn for 20 minutes for driving around with cardboard tags instead of Maryland state tags on her car. When asked to provide documentation for her vehicle, she repeatedly refused to present her driver’s license, tags, and registration. Some articles on the Internet state Korryn was pulled over while practicing sovereign law. Take a look at this footage as she refused to provide identification for police officers in March while she was pulled over for a traffic violation.

Delegation of Authority: What does it mean?

Like many of us that have a growing curiosity for something we desperately want an answer to, I went to YouTube for a quick definition. I came across a lot of videos that gave good definitions. But there was one particular journalist named Andrew Westmoreland who gave me the best explanation to what delegation of authority meant in the sense of its use in law enforcement. I also found websites that further explained how it is used to delegate orders to people of the law. Though I can’t say what Westmoreland is saying is the fact, he does make a few valid points that I cannot look past, like people not being aware of their laws and policies as it relates to current events with cases about police brutality.

With Korryn Gaines, lots of people may have jumped to conclusions too quickly about her character by saying she’s crazy or mental. There is obviously something more. According to what is observed in her encounter with the addition to learning more about delegation of authority, Korryn had a genuine concern about how she dealt with law enforcers. She was a smart and strong-willed woman. She truly stuck to what she believed was her due to rights. To her, there is a correct way of doing things. She literally died for what she believed.

Would you believe Korryn’s notion to ask the police for delegation of authority was justified after watching journalists explain what it means? Leave your comments below.

Did you read about the Korryn Gaines Pop Up Art Show in Honor of her message? Read Protecting A Legacy: Korryn Gaines Pop-Up Art Show on Doc’s Castle Media.

One Year After Baltimore’s Uprising (A #DCM Recap)

It was around this time a year ago when Black Baltimore Youth decided to take a stand against social injustice as a result of death to Baltimore native Freddie Gray. One year ago, the city was at unrest as media from around the world had their cameras focused on the city’s reaction.

First at an uproar, then later turned uplifting, the riots became like a light switch flicked on gaining the attention of billions. Baltimore had all eyes on them as its citizens showed the world what’s truly happening in the city while public officials, like Mayor Stephanie Rawlings – Blake, left the citizens with “space to destroy.” Many have wondered would it be this be time for a revolution; will there be a change in the fight against systematic racism?

Read: The Real Revolution Will Not Be Televised #ILoveBaltimore on Doc’s Castle Media

During the 2015 Baltimore Uprising Protests, people gathered at the historical intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and North Avenue with a mission to show whoever watching the truth. Hundreds of people met with the same purpose against police brutality and social injustices. It was in front of the burning CVS Pharmacy, we designated a landmark for many of the Uprising’s protests. On the corner of Penn North Station, a revolution was sparked but is the flame for Black deliverance still lit?

A year later, there still remains an urgent call of attention to those same social injustices. Every day, there are signs that let people in on these still prevalent social needs. There are activists continuing on the search for ways to fight for funding towards a corrupt Baltimore City education system. By December of 2015, crime rates skyrocketed way past the usual records leading to more than 300 homicidal deaths throughout the year. There remain blocks-upon-blocks of vacant homes untouched since the riots in Baltimore during 1968. The homeless continue to be pushed out of tourists friendly areas in shame to prevent an unwelcoming presence for visitors. The city is the same.

On April 28, exactly one year following the Baltimore rising protest, another protest was held in honor of Freddie Gray, Tyrone West, and more recently 13-year-old African American student who was shot by a police officer on school premises after withdrawing a replica handgun.

Did you see the Million Man March Gallery? Read Face of Liberation (Million Man March Gallery) on Doc’s Castle Media.

#BaltimoreTrends: Be Sure to Visit My Town

At least once once a year I’ll do these trendy post about what’s happening in Baltimore that’s catching the bulk of attention. Last year, I wrote an opinionated piece about the unrest presented in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray, victim in 2015 grand jury case that sparked the fight against injustice and systemic racism in Baltimore City. The year before, I wrote on the social trend of people taking to social media to share their best representing picture they’d like to share if murdered unjustly by police brutality in honor of the death of Michael Brown. Also, let’s not forget about the #ImSoBaltimore hashtag that sweep the Internet for an entire day.

What’s popular this past week was the sudden appearance of memes inviting tourist to visit Baltimore. Only a week after Baltimore’s Light The City event took place in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, someone, who still remains anonymous, took to social media to share a few places that wouldn’t be considered the average tourist attraction.

Read: Nearly 400,000 Come for Light City Baltimore.

I assume the Internet couldn’t wait to make Baltimore the butt of the joke, as the funniest photographs of famous and some historical landmarks act as the punchline for city natives familiar with the area. The locations to some places mentioned aren’t your typical call for luxurious vacationing. But who’s ready to visit Murry’s Steak House with me?!

Whoever made these memes are simply awesome!

If you’re not from Baltimore, some of these pictures may be questionable. Why would anyone want to visit Owings Mills where there’s nothing worth sight seeing if we go by what we see in the memes? To see boarded houses that have been that way for years? Oh, what joy!

Even satire news site WMAC News took place in participating in all the jokester fun as they shared an article on Justin Bieber’s decision to make Frederick, Maryland a place of residency..

These memes can be taken in many ways, even political. As we approach the near anniversary of last year’s Baltimore Uprising, I can see someone choosing to make a statement of what still hasn’t changed in Baltimore. The city granted programs and funding to the youth, but as people may visit the areas mentioned in these memes, you’d see the same old’ rusted, dingy, and dusty Baltimore.

Being a Baltimorean, I know of conversations that take place during this city’s unrest addressing the concerns people have about city and state officials calling the National Guard to protect Baltimore tourist areas instead of areas that took majority impact during 2015 riots. There’s also conversations about media outlets around the world showing a city that physically displays the outcome of constant budget cuts from our government. We need answers. We need understanding for why outsiders know only of Canton, Fells Point, or Federal Hill, but not Sandtown, Pennsylvania Avenue, or Station North.

Hmm, does this have to do with racism?

Anyway let’s not get carried away. I just think these pictures are funny and extremely left field. Pictures speak a thousand worlds and I love it. So if these were created as pure comedy, that’s fine with me too. Haha.

It’s not real! I want to assure the people who aren’t from Baltimore that. Don’t let them get their panties in a bunch trying to explore the unknowns of Lexington Market or Shake n Bake. If you truly want to know, come visit and find out. I bet you’d laugh too.

Have you seen the hashtag trend marked as a social media protest? Read “The Online Protest In Honor of Those Mistreated By Law Enforcers: #IfTheyGunnedMeDown” on Doc’s Castle Media.