Perceptions

It's unsettling that there are such contrasting perceptions about Baltimore, a city I've grown to love. Yesterday I read a disturbing article detailing the police corruption through the Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF). The article ended by saying "Baltimore can't run a school, a  police department or even a zoo". 

Admittedly, there is truth in that statement, and yet it disturbs me to see only one side of multifaceted city, so rich with warm and wonderful people, history, inventions, gardens and parks music and the arts . . . . It reminds me of a fable I read years ago. 
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The Blind Men and the Elephant
~ John G. Sake

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all six of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant, 
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
God bless me, but the Elephant
Is very like a wall.

The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, "Ho! What have we here?
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So very round and smooth and sharp,
To me tis mighty clear
This wonder of an elephant 
Is very like a spear!"

The Third approached the animal
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out his eager hand 
And felt about the knee.
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is might plain," quoth he. 
"Tis clear enough the Elephant 
Is very like a tree."

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear
Said, E'en the blinded man
Can tell what this resembles most
Deny the fact who can,
The marvel of the Elephant 
Is very like a fan."

Te Sixthe no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on his switching tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope."

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed load and long,
Each in his own opinion 
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong."
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The concerns about Baltimore are critical and I can't deny or dismiss them.

But Baltimore is so much more. The people here are warm and caring with a passion and love for their town. I've been welcomed with open arms at the Renaissance Institute and the Ding Dongs, both groups over flowing with opportunities to make marvelous memories!

Baltimore is rich with history, culture, art, sports teams, parks and gardens, libraries, universities, and ongoing special events, fabulous restaurants and shopping malls.  There are festivals spring, summer and fall. The harbor is bustling with shops, street performers, water taxis and other boats for lunches and touring.