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Tear Down That Wall

  As a result of decades of city sponsored segregation, racial restrictive covenants, and redlining, York Road is a racial dividing line.   When one travels further south on York Road, York Road becomes Greenmount.   York Road divides and separates predominately Black east side, working class communities such as the Greater Govans from predominately white affluent west side communities such as Guilford and Homelands. There are two types of barriers separating African American communities from white communities in Northeast Baltimore.   One set of barriers is physical.   The other barrier is the continuing legacy of structural and systemic racism in Baltimore. The Guilford community in Baltimore epitomizes white privilege and the racial divide in Baltimore. Today, under the guise of promoting public safety, Guilford is perpetuating and maintaining the New Jim Crow, modern day segregation.   There is a stone wall on York Road separating affluent Guilford from surrounding predominantly
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We Will No Longer Be Silent: Structural Racism in the York Road Corridor Must Be Addressed

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This past Saturday, as reported in the Baltimore Sun , protesters marched against structural and systemic racism in the York Road Corridor in Baltimore, Maryland.  I commend Thaen Hardy for organizing the protest.  It was long overdue. For decades, York Road has been a racial dividing line separating black people and white people, poor people and affluent people. The York Road Corridor is separate and unequal.  The west side of York Road, including Guilford and Homeland neighborhoods, is predominantly white and prosperous.  Many residents on the west side live in luxurious homes and their children attend elite private schools such as Gilman, Bryn Mawr, and Friends School of Baltimore. The east side of York Road, including communities such as Woodbourne McCade and Greater Govans, is predominantly African American and poor.  On the west side of York Road, there are abandoned buildings, open air drug markets, failing schools, and streets littered with trash and hopelessness. 2016
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A State of Emergency: We Can End the Violence

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On May 30, 2020, Ala’junaye Davis, sixteen year African American honor student, was shot and killed in the early morning on the 2100 block of Wilkens Avenue.   Forty minutes later, Stephen Pendergarst, a 31 year old African American man, was killed. I was saddened and enraged to read yet another story about young people being killed in our city.   Ala’junaye reminded me of my own daughter. While life gradually returns to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, Baltimore is still plagued by a homicide epidemic.   For the past five years, over 300 people have been shot and killed in Baltimore each year.   Last year was the second deadliest year on record.   Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying stay-at-home orders and closure of businesses, Baltimore's homicide rate is outpacing last year’s homicide rate.   So far, as noted in the Baltimore Sun, 135 people were killed in Baltimore this year.   At this same time last year, 128 were killed.   The viol
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League of Women Voters: 4th District City Council Candidates Forum

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Yesterday, I participated in the 4th District City Council Candidates Forum hosted by League of Women Voters, Harbel Community Organization, and NECO.  Thank you for hosting this great discussion.  To view the debate, please click this link .
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Lake Evesham Community Association's 4th District City Council Candidates Forum

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Thank you, Lake Evesham Community Association, for hosting the 4th District Baltimore City Council Candidates Forum.  It was pleasure participating in this great discussion regarding important issues impacting our community.  To view the debate, please click this link .
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Anson Asaka: Baltimore Sun Voter Voter Guide

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Good morning, family.  Please click this link to read my responses to Baltimore Sun's Voter Guide Questionnaire.
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My Interview on the Larry Young Morning Show on WOLB

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On March 19, I participated in the WOLB Larry Morning Show District 4 Baltimore City Council Candidates Interview. Above are my excerpts from the interview. During the interview, the host forgot to ask me which committees I would serve on if elected. If elected, I would serve on the Public Safety Committee. When I talk to the voters, they repeatedly inform me that violence is the most important issue. For the past five years, over 300 people have been murdered in Baltimore each year. Last year was the second deadliest year on record. This year's murder rate is on pace to exceed last year's murder rate. In addition to serving on the Public Safety Committee, I would serve on the Education and Youth Committee. The youth are our future. Moreover, in the words of Malcolm X, "education is our passport to the future." Educating and empowering our youth are some of my top priorities.
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