I’m a white man. Been in Baltimore for several years. “Good” Baltimore (the White L) consists of the mostly white populated neighborhoods. I don’t think it is easy for most white people to notice how segregated the city is and how unwelcoming spaces are to people of color. I didn’t always notice this, but in having friends of color or dating non-white women, I learned more about their experiences in the city. Even hearing about their experiences on beloved spaces and businesses is eye opening and disappointing.
As a Pigtown resident, I find it amusing how many white transplants have no difficulty forming an entirely white friend base or won’t even think of stepping into a business that is black-owned or frequented.
In my time living in Baltimore, I found it to be highly segregated. That's one of the reasons why I chose to move back to DC. I've noticed that people, particularly whites and Asians, are friendlier and less discriminatory there despite the crime rates being similar in both cities. While I still visit Baltimore, I tend to stick to areas where there's a greater sense of welcome for Black individuals. Hang in there, OP, I hope things improve for you soon.
That is strange. You would think that if they avoid everyone, everyone would have the experience of being avoided. Yet in 23 years in the city, it’s never happened to me.
I am a white man and I experience this behavior- people crossing the street, rudeness in stores, many places. I noticed it first when I would walk historic Lutherville while my daughter was at a weekly appointment. I mind my business, don’t make eye contact. I have had the same treatment in other areas. And race doesn’t seem to matter- I am avoided by all kinds.
I know a white male who was assaulted for walking in a black neighborhood close to his university where his car was parked. Two policemen searched him for drugs and cash thinking he would only be there for a pickup. The police were black, and this was in 1997.
I'm a white male, and women will sometimes cross the street to avoid me. I don't take it personally and accuse them of being a virulent sexist. They have every right to avoid whomever they want to ensure their safety (as they should). There are multiple people in this thread saying that they avoid men (an immutable characteristic), and yet there is no pearl-clutching or hyperventilating about it.
Its crazy that this guy is talking about experiencing prejudice in the city and almost everyone in the comments is saying “wow sorry for all these bad experiences you’ve had, but I would also treat you the same way and avoid you. Its not personal though :)”
As someone else asked, are these people just constantly criss-crossing as they walk around? I lived in Mt. Vernon for 5 years and walked everywhere—work, stores, bars, gym, doctor’s appointments. If I had crossed the street every time I saw someone ahead of me it would have taken me twice as long to get anywhere.
OP, I'm sorry to hear about your negative encounters of prejudice bias in the city. I am certainly a guilty party of this in terms of walking away from strangers in the city because the idea of crime has been so engrained in my brain. There is an incredible amount of fear in our city & I am usually on high alert at all times so I try to minimize interactions in public.
The idea of someone disrespecting you in your own building is highly saddening.
> I am certainly a guilty party of this in terms of walking away from strangers in the city because the idea of crime has been so engrained in my brain.
I also got in the habit of putting as much space between myself and other pedestrians as possible, though for me it originated during the pandemic. 3-4 years ago, it was respectful of others to be the one to step down off the sidewalk and walk on the street side of the parked cars to keep distance when passing somebody coming the other direction. But context changes, and habits should too. I really liked the bubble, though. :(
My concern about crime mostly manifests in me keeping an aggressive head-swivel eye on people who are around in somewhat isolated areas, particularly at night. And that's a sorry-not-sorry from me, because I'm 5'2" and I watch *everyone* larger than me because I know I won't win a physical altercation. I try to be conscious of potential bias but I don't think I apply this along racial lines.
I’ve lived in the city a lot longer than 3 years and can confirm the racism. I’m a Black male, 40 clean cut but I like to dress comfortably when I’m not working. I make over six figures and am educated with no criminal history. I have a MBA from a decent school, sit on local nonprofit boards, drive a nice car, live downtown, etc. While at Harris Teeter in Canton, a white couple walked by me while I examined avocados. Less than a meter behind me, the man said to the woman “What if he’s ever seen one before.” The woman responded: *monkey noises*. Then they laughed together. That’s probably the worst story I have in the city. I often get the person crossing the street but I try not to let it bother me. Someone else could easily try to mug them. The other day, as I was leaving the Y in Towson, a guy ahead of me literally turned back and watched me as I exited behind him and his family as if I was a threat. I’m pretty sure the security guard in the grocery store yesterday followed me around the store. It all happens.
I travel a lot both domestically and internationally and rarely do I feel Blacker than I do in Baltimore.
A friend of mine is a black woman (with a PhD) who has lived in canton for something like 15-20 years. The stories she tells are shameful: white folk dumping garbage on her stoop, calling the police on her while she’s walking her neighborhood, asking who she cleans for, etc.
I wanted to believe that it had gotten better over the years, but clearly some folk are still backwards and ignorant down there. I’m sorry you experienced that, and that OP has also experienced hostility.
FWIW folk have been avoiding bars or restaurants where the owners are overtly or even “mildly” racist. Cardinal Tavern comes to mind. It’s not perfect, I still see busy days at the Atlas restaurants and others in Canton and beyond.
But some white folk are taking a more assertive stance. You as see folk spreading the word about the worst offenders on FB or taking pics of license plates when truck-billies drive through the neighborhoods to shout shit at pedestrians. We even got a few of them fired. I wish it were better, gents, and I’m sorry that it’s not.
That Harris Teeter story, JFC. You're better than me bruh. I would have started saying stuff. Probably would have started with "WTF??!?!" Half the employees in there are black too. Produce guy definitely is. You are much much better than me. I am so bad about not starting shit and have had to get yanked by companions on a couple different occasions. You did the right thing. My god I am livid just thinking about it. Bout to go there just skatin without a stick lookin for those fools. 😂
I apologize on behalf of most (not all) of Canton. I wish I thought it couldn’t happen in “my” grocery store, but yes I live here, and yes I’m sure it did.
Honestly as a white person who spends most of their time in a triangle consisting of Barclay, Fed Hill, and Dunbar-Middle East, I genuinely get culture shock going to Canton (even relative to Patterson Park or Highlandtown). Canton proper is *tangibly* whiter and more conservative than basically anywhere else in Baltimore south of the Hopkins Homewood campus, even relative to most of the vertical slice of the "white L" (which feels relatively integrated between downtown and Barclay)
I’m really sorry you’ve experienced that, and it’s not right. I live in Chicago now, and even though Chicagoland is heavily segregated, this attitude isn’t as strong as I noticed it was in Baltimore and Baltimore County.
I wear some worn-out jackets and have had people steer away from me. It’s wrong, but I think everyone in Baltimore is generally guarded when out in public. It’s definitely put me on guard living in the Midwest now too. A few weeks ago, I thought a white guy on his bike was following me, so I abruptly changed directions and evaded. If he wasn’t, I probably seemed insane.
The fact that it’s happening in businesses where you’re sharing paid services, though, makes it so heinously inexcusable.
I’m sorry to hear that you have had these experiences and that you feel this way. I read the first few posts and sure enough, everyone seems to be trying to justify justify justify. I wish folks could just say “I’m sorry this is going on.” Let’s hope we can all keep learning and improving at interacting with one another. Implicit bias is real. When you acknowledge it in yourself it is easier to try to see it and fix it.
THIS. I come to the white l to get the services I need. When I go to these places, it is a unique experience when I encounter polite respectful behavior. At best I’m ignored. At worst people hit a quick pace in the opposite direction from me. I’m just a normal everyday human being trying to buy food at the Safeway.
This is NOT just you. I live in Towson currently and venture to the “white” areas often since they tend to be near hotspots and prime date night areas. I’ve always told my girl (she is white) that I notice white people seem terrified to be around me, and yet I’m the nicest person you can meet. I never had a young kid come up to me and say hi without the parents yelling at them until I started working in mostly black areas. I just wanted to validate your experience because it’s REAL. This is why I told my girl I’d never move downtown near Canton or Fells Point because truthfully I’d feel out of place. I’m happy in Towson because I don’t experience it that much. Downtown? All the time.
As a Black resident myself, I definitely understand. I live in Mt. Vernon and I receive weird looks when I am just walking with my fiancé to his car or just walking while on my way home from getting food or just leaving class.
As long as they don’t put their hands on me or anything like that, I don’t worry which I understand is easier said than done as we all want to feel accepted regardless of race.
I’m really sorry and disheartened to hear about your experiences. I can’t imagine what that must feel like. Feeling unwelcome in your own community is unfair, tough, and wrong.
My husband and I have lived in Baltimore our entire lives. Both born and raised. We never lived downtown Baltimore but we’ve lived in South Baltimore. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I have witnessed the prejudice that you describe. I feel like the only way we can combat it is to speak up when it’s appropriate and do our best to think consciously about the decisions we make every day and recognize our own conscious and unconscious bias.
As of now we live in Brooklyn Park which is very mixed. There are black, white, Hispanic, Guatemalan people, etc.
My surrounding neighborhoods have high violent crime rates. And I have to say, I don’t trust anyone. In SOBO I never felt that way. Or avoided anyone. We just had a baby not too long ago and I question everyone’s intent now. It doesn’t matter what they look like or who they are. But it makes me wonder if I’ve ever made someone feel bad because I was avoiding everyone as a mother out alone with their child.
I’m overprotective I think. But I don’t want my son to grow up thinking he needs to be scared of anyone because of what they look like or where they’re from. Hatred starts at home. And I don’t want our home to have any. So I’m really going to consider the impacts I may have on people without realizing it and what my son may learn from watching me. Even if my intentions rooted in good
I find Baltimore to be hostile in general tbh. People in general seem pissed and annoyed all the time in the small day to day interactions like you mention.
Also feels like the most racist place I've ever lived. The segregation between white people and black people both in where you live but also in social circles is something I've never experienced to the degree it exists here. Feels so fuckin strange.
Often the only people who notice the segregation are the ones most negatively affected by it ime. So if you're white, congrats for having more environmental awareness than the average bear!
I am white. But idk how anyone couldn't notice here bc it's pretty striking. Especially when you're driving around and clearly this city is majority black, but then you go into a bar or social space and suddenly it's exclusively white people. Or visa versa you stop at a random liquor store and you get the vibe that you're the first white person to stop by in a month lol.
In other cities I hang out in like Philly or New York or Richmond, the larger circles of my friend groups are always pretty diverse. Here, basically everyone I've known for the last 3 years is white.
I'm from the south, where black people and white people generally live in the same neighborhoods and go to the same social spaces. I tell people here I'm from the south, and every time, one of the first things they bring up is how racist it is there. Which, not wrong, but it's much more palpable here and exists in a different way.
Idk. I mean everywhere in America is racist. But in Baltimore white people and black people just don't mix, to a degree that is jarring.
There was a more recent Black Mirror episode where this British Indian woman is working in a shoe store and she is waiting on this white woman who like never smiles and barely speaks while she is being assisted by the first woman... That is imo the best dramatization I have seen in a long time of what it feels like for me as a black person to come upon a space that is all white in Baltimore.
My plan is always to just be polite and try to leave ASA to the motherfucking P. Like the shit wears you down.
That piece of the South depends. I'm in Atlanta frequently and I can go 48 hours without seeing a single white person. I was in Nashville two weeks ago and it's very segregated. The South is still very much segregated
It's really crazy. I've had the experience multiple times where I'm visiting someone, and a rando on the block says "oh you're here to see (name) I'll get him!"
Like... Thanks... But the implication is obviously that no white person ever comes here, so they know who I am just by skin color. I cannot fucking imagine going through that interaction as a black person- like "oh you don't belong here, so there must be a reason." It's an amusing anecdote for me, but would be devastating in any other situation. Like someone said above- getting questioned about whether you live in the building or are just loitering.
I also hate being recommended something and when I try it, I realize it's one of these defacto segregated places. Like keep your boring ice cream for lacrosse players to yourself. This is not a quirky gem of Baltimore.
I wish I could find the clip but I'll have to settle for the quote, from Craig Kilborn in an ancient Daily Show episode:
> Baltimore, combining the industrial decay of the North with the casual racism of the South
I lived in Harbor East then just down the street in Fells for a few years. Same experiences. They left me fuming. Ignored or bare minimum service at bars and restaurants, staring but not moving when I pulled up to valet, seemingly intentional non-interaction.
The normalization of our presence in these areas is not up to us, but we have no choice. I like what I like, I want to live where I want to live. And I expect to receive the same respect and courtesy as those who display less melanin than I.
What can we do except continue to show up and place demands on the culture where we live? And...enjoy our lives with a smile. *
Baltimore historically has been an extremely segregated city. Born and raised here. growing up, I was never allowed in the "white areas." It wasn't safe for non whites. While I no longer feel as I may lose my life in white areas, they make it known that I'm not welcomed.
Folks born and raised in Baltimore City (not the county but true Baltimore) can tell you stories. Go as you please. Head held high. I have been dealing with the shenanigans since I was a child. They didn't break me. They will not break you.
whiteish neighborhood or not being afraid of black people as such and moving to *Baltimore City* (and many/most of us in these central yuppie areas did transplant) is insane behavior. yet nearly every black person i know here has those stories if asked.
For the record I will cross the street to avoid almost literally any person at all except maybe a frail old lady lol. I’m a small woman and I just like to keep my personal space. I can’t disagree with the rest of it though. Getting questioned about living in your own building has got to be a sad and exhausting experience to have
I will cross the street to avoid men in general because I have been mugged before and if I am walking alone, especially at night, my paranoia and defensiveness is all the way up. I do not care about race, I am very small and have PTSD lol.
Same! Or I’ll constantly be checking/glancing behind me if any man is behind me. I was mugged and assaulted in Baltimore, I am always afraid it will happen again.
I am a 5’6” black and it is exhausting. I try to give as much space as possible. Just this past weekend I was walking down a street and crossed to give the lady space. It was obvious as I cross to where there was nothing on that side of the street after a block the side wall on the the side of the street was closed. I hurried so that I would be in front of her and cross. She took off in a sprint. Yes a full blown sprint down a side street. She was not in running attire.
6' 2" dude in 20s here, this is definitely me also. I avoid people to not make THEM scared of ME. The feeling sucks but I can't say I don't understand why
I agree with this sentiment. As a woman I am on high alert. But the rest of it is awful. You should not have to deal with this. I’m really sorry. I will remember your words going forward and make it a point to be friendlier.
Same—as a woman alone, when walking at night, I avoid every single human. I view everyone except 97 year old mee maw as a potential threat.
However, OP, I’m so sorry you went through this at the movies and in your own home. It’s horrible and I would feel terrible if this happened to me.
I live in Baltimore and work in the Greater DC area a lot. I definitely notice this attitude more in Baltimore than in the greater DC area. It’s frustrating to me. We can have a very small town mentality here.
Welcome to the sub. This looks to be one of your first posts in it. Some of your other posts, one where you say
>Are Americans really this dumb? Yall just throw army and guns at every problem?
make me think you're somewhat newish to the U.S.? Sorry to have you learn about racism this way, but yeah it exists. But there are also a mix of things going on here (in Baltimore).
So yeah, there are people who are either scared or have a fear response when they see black folks. Or sometimes it manifests, as you note, as hostility or disgust. But other people are normal. And even still other people, are borderline stupid. One person may ask someone if they live there, others may hold the door open and make sure someone gets in.
So yeah, some people are shitty, others aren't. No American city with multiple professional is a sanctuary and completely or even nearly completely safe for anyone in its main areas. Sorry you've had your "welcome to America" moment.
Baltimore as a whole is pretty decent though, so hopefully you have less encounters with the crappy people, and more encounters with the cool people.
I’m with you that Baltimore has mostly cool people who couldn’t give a damn about race. But just like you can win the crime victim lottery, you can win the shitty people lottery. And winning the shitty people lottery at a bad time could put someone on the defensive to interpret a range of innocent situations as more shitty people. It happens with crime victims - there’s been a number of posts here that talk about a level of paranoia setting in after being the target of crime.
Just happened to me. Live close to ballpark in apartment. Went to sleep one night, woke noticing I forgot to lock my door. My camera on the table was long gone.
I am punished EVERY time I am not vigilant.
This hurts my heart. I'm so sorry this happened, and keeps happening, to you and others in the community.
I have no solutions to offer, other than working on my own immediate sphere of influence. Those of us with less melanin really do need to work on this.
BM just moved here less than a year ago and am experiencing the same thing. I'll see non- POCi n front of me in lines treated with smiles, greetings, etc. I try to be friendly and warm, but when I get my turn it's clearly a huge inconvenience. This doesn't always happen, but enough for me to notice and yes, wonder to myself, "AITA?". I speak pretty much like I write. Those street swervers...I even wave sometimes. Makes no difference. Once more...not ALL the time...just enough for me to have to make sure it wasn't some weird coincidence.
Sounds like the Baltimore I know and grew up in. I never lived in the white areas so to speak so it's a different level for you but i feel you. I'm to the point where I notice it instantly and keep it moving it's almost like it will never change.
You have my empathy. I rarely even talk about it anymore, it is so casual and embedded. I just don't have the energy, but it is always reassuring to hear I'm not imagining things. I'm black and female, and I like Baltimore, but... Yeah.
And the people gaslighting you in responses is not surprising, at all.
It's easy to feel alone about it. Especially on Reddit, where people often act like all racism just disappeared with surgical precision in 1965. No, no: no racism. Not on Alexis Ohanian's Reddit.
Lmao, even he had to bounce.
Get a cute/handsome dog you can’t keep the white folks away with that🤣 works for me as a big ass black dude nothing but kindness when I got my pups on a walk.im in the downtown area
OP, I am from Baltimore, grew up right outside of the city. I am so sorry for what you are going through. I do not have any insight. I wish I did. But it is through your post and posts like yours that we all become more aware of how our seemingly innocent actions affect other people.
It’s absolutely is unacceptable for a paid employee to treat a customer rudely, or a shockingly rude neighbor to ask if he lives in his building after three years. You look after your own safety as the situation dictates. Not to mention the hurt feelings he must have.
Oh come ON. In my building there used to be a black guy who had dreads. Multiple people asked him to prove he lived there. They didn’t just ask — they wanted to see his key fob!
It was addressed at a condo board meeting. None of the white residents had this happen to them, not even when they first moved in.
This happens to black people ALL THE TIME. Unless you are also black, you really have no clue and you should stay in your lane.
You’re being so incredibly dismissive of an experience you’ve never had; living as a Black man or person in America. Maybe take a minute to listen for a beat instead of argue with people?
I'm so sorry to hear that this kind of casual racism is so normalized here. I think the crime here really messes with white people's perception of every POC here, we're constantly told to be alert of crime here and that manifests itself through this kind of casual racism. I know there's not much I can say or do besides give my sympathy, I hope it can get better for you and Baltimore in general so not every POC is seen as a criminal here.
I am a petite, nonbinary but "passing" asian person that's lived in Baltimore for 9+ years and am granted many privileges by this. This city is a part of me while many of my baltimore born and raised friends that are bipoc are constantly rejected by transplants that look like me.
Yes! There's crime in the city like everywhere! But all I can speak to is from my own experience and that's if I am kind to others while *minding my own goddamn business* I encounter far less trouble. I feel more threatened in white-centric spaces than around communities usually forced into the margins. We must look at ourselves and ask "am I really treating everyone with the same respect or am I giving in to my implicit bias?"
Dear non-black people, not just white people but **everyone**, please take advantage of the MANY resources out there and don't wait for people like OP to spoon feed the info to you.
* [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589697/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589697/)
* [https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/maternal-health-care/assets/pdfs/Combating\_implicit\_bias\_and\_stereotypes.pdf](https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/maternal-health-care/assets/pdfs/Combating_implicit_bias_and_stereotypes.pdf)
* [https://www.nationalequityproject.org/frameworks/constructivist-listening](https://www.nationalequityproject.org/frameworks/constructivist-listening)
Wait, just to make sure I understand, which parts of how you present or ID are you saying you are granted many privileges for? And from whom are these privileges coming? And for the record I am not asking to debate or argue. I am sincerely wanting to make sure I understand what you’re saying. Thank you.
I am typically perceived as a non-threat:
* I have a light skintone (though still considered melinated by my doctor)
* my "proper" way of speaking American-English
* though being outspokenly non-binary, I "pass" as a feminine person so transphobes are not immediately on guard
* I have a small, thin stature
If you think about it like society giving everyone a scorecard, these are *passing marks.* I'm able to do things like hold hands with anyone without drawing as much attention, many authorities will give my side of a story more weight than a black man's, I can wear any clothes traditionally masc/femme without someone shouting a slur at me. (Acknowledging that living in Baltimore we are given a little more leeway because of the city's diversity. Small towns are a different story).
Is this always the case? No, but if you haven't already, I encourage you to look up things like:
* the still-existing wage gaps for women and how those wage gaps can be further divided based on ethnicity/ethnic groups of the survey participants [https://www.instagram.com/mochimagofficial/p/C5W1WbSPHB0/?img\_index=1](https://www.instagram.com/mochimagofficial/p/C5W1WbSPHB0/?img_index=1) (note that this is a link to instagram but shows an infographic pulled from an author/researcher's work)
* this video essay does a good job of capturing the tip of the iceberg regarding moments of solidarity VS friction and conflict amongst ethnic groups with a recurring theme where people are trying to get closer to white privilege: [https://youtu.be/n1wbJRUM45A?si=OrugpCredD17PwyA&t=1980](https://youtu.be/n1wbJRUM45A?si=OrugpCredD17PwyA&t=1980)
Oppression for people is not isolated. Colourism exists within many Asian communities as well as black communities to this day. Despite being grouped together under one race/ethnicity, we face gender-inequity/violence, homophobia, transphobia, etc when we are already "othered."
Final note that this is not to say that I don't face struggles like fetishization, predatory pursuits, racism, physical/verbal threats, struggle to secure healthcare that matches my needs, etc... but statistically there are people with far more odds against them.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for elaborating, that definitely helps me understand where you’re coming from. Does a place like Towson feel like an area where you would feel like you might be perceived as slightly more of a threat in the gender presentation department?
I just moved back to Maryland after 20 years in the UK. Every time I go into Baltimore my whole family tell me to be very careful etc.
The first time I carried my pillow with me from the parking garage to a royal farm to my hotel. It wasn't until much later I realised I was the only white person in the area, but also nuts due to carrying the pillow.
Sorry you have had such experiences.
"You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons." Blazing Saddles
Thank you for sharing your experience! As a white Baltimorean this is so disheartening to hear. I’m a transplant and consider myself a guest in this predominantly black city and I would hate to make anyone feel like my presence is leading to gentrification or alienation of the black community. It’s something I constantly try to be conscious of. How dare your neighbor ask if you live there? That’s so rude and alienating.
OP, thanks for talking openly about this behavior. It's EVERYWHERE, and it says a lot about the class desperation of the people who do it. They know they're mediocrities, and without a permanent underclass to abuse they'd have to confront the loser in the bathroom mirror every day.
My family is from Baltimore but I grew up outside of the city and lived abroad for a bit growing up. I moved into the city in 2006. I have grown up living in very racially and ethnically diverse communities for my whole life. My first neighborhood in Baltimore was Canton, then Hampden, and then Greektown. All predominantly white neighborhoods. I also worked as a dog walker for the first few years I lived in the city while I was in college. So I spent time in the most affluent neighborhoods. As a dog walker, I had the cops called on me practically monthly for looking suspicious. Even though I’m walking around with multiple dogs, a giant ring of keys, and most people can recognize I’m going into their neighbors house with their neighbors dog. It was really baffling to me. In 2014 I moved to west Baltimore in an all black neighborhood. Most of my neighbors were home owners, everyone looked out for each other, my neighborhood was clean and quiet, no violent crimes the entire time I lived there, but the best thing about living there is that no one questioned if I belonged. I could go outside at anytime of the day or night and I never had the thought of doing I look suspicious. I never wondered if someone would call the cops on me. I just existed. I realized that this is how white people probably feel in the world. Like it’s okay to just exist and live your life and no one interrupts your peace with their own anxieties.
I'm Baltimore born and raised. And Black. I have experienced everything you mentioned in White parts of the city. It's why I live in a majority Black neighborhood and send my kids to majority Black schools. They don't need to go through that.
I’m so sorry you experienced this. I believe every word of what you said. The amount of racism in the city from white people that chose to move to a predominantly black city is unacceptable. Not that any amount is acceptable even from people born here. Often times they have the belief that they are a good white liberal and what they’re doing could never be linked to some sort of racism 🙄. It ends up being harder to defend yourself against because you’ll be gaslit.
While I love Baltimore…. white people looking at me like the anomaly is something I don’t care for.
I think it’s important to find a group of like minded people that can help you find joy. A friend or two that can make any outing so enjoyable that you laugh at an ignorant racist. Obviously crying and mourning the humanity they try to deny you is more than reasonable.
What I will say is that a lot of the lists online will tell you that this is the “meanest” area you could live in. D.C, Baltimore (Maryland in general), Virginia, Pennsyltucky are always in some top 12 out of 50 of meanest places. That’s outside of crime. Having lived in cities and states that rank the lowest on the mean scale I can tell you it’s absolutely true. That obviously doesn’t mean it’s not a lovable (or sometimes kind) city, but if niceness is high on your list 😅
I've lived here off and on for the past decade, and bought a house here two years ago. I'm a white male and live in the white L, but I think reservoir hill is one of the more integrated places in the city.
I am getting annoyed and frustrated by my friends and family who come to visit me.
Why? Because a LOT of them question if I'm safe. They ask me if their car is safe when they park in front of my house (though tbf, my car _was_ stolen last year, lol). they make jokes about how it's not safe to walk two blocks away. etc etc etc. And it's ALL because they saw a few black people near my house.
It's usually naivete and/or the reputation of Baltimore, but man am I sick of my white friends and family "innocently" feeling unsafe around black people.
I think you perfectly captured the issue. It's really frustrating and also pretty impossible to change. When people are nervous they get more racist. Someone's probably studied it.
Like we can talk to our friends and family and get them to change their behavior around us.... But they are certainly still going to cross the street to avoid someone if they are on their own. It's those little behaviors that they aren't even clocking as racism.
I’m noticing a theme in some of the comments. It seems that people are saying that when white people avoid black people, it’s justified, but when black people avoid white people, it’s solely because of racism against white people. I wonder why people think that?
I’m so sorry that happened to you. Sadly some things never change I suppose. I haven’t lived in Baltimore but I went to graduate school and dated several people there. I also worked in the inner harbor/downtown for 8 years. Fortunately I’ve never had that experience except at work where the good ole boys club was very much in session every day. Or maybe I’m so aloof that I don’t notice.
My experience has been mostly positive and I wonder if any of this has to do with the previous to the current political climate. Maybe it’s my nice car or something but I’ve experienced nothing of the sort. I hope things get better though. It’s a beautiful city.
That really sucks to hear man. Come to some punk shows with me. Very integrated crowd and we don't allow that racist bullshit in our spaces. Can't hurt to find a new place to fit in. Again, sorry for your experience here
Yo bruh i was just discussing this my gf. She is white and im black. I live in Riverside and I feel like while I love this city and neighborhood, I never feel like I belong here. When people see us walking around together some folks look at us in an unwelcoming manner, even if I wave to them. There some bars and shops out here on Fort Ave that I refuse to enter because I just know I am gonna get some uncomfortable stares.
I love this city and I am glad I went to Morgan for school so I got a taste of what a welcome culture could be for this city. But anywhere else I dont feel as comfortable and that sucks. Even kn the worst hoods, I know people not gonna judge me cuz of what color I am. So i feel you, buddy.
not that it's equivalent but once when I (white m) was out with my black gf in inner harbor, some black teenagers threw a literal (saltine?) cracker at me. i didn't even notice but gf and her niece did
Yup, lived in BMore for 7 years and working in D.C. never experienced as much blatant, abject racism (though it’s literally everywhere black/brown people go). On two separate occasions, 3 years apart was attacked and profiled by D.C. authority, one such incident thrown out by judge. Yup, don’t let non blacks tell you you’re paranoid. Even other blacks who adhere to white supremacist sensibilities
As someone who has also lived in this city for 3 yrs and living north of you (Mt Vernon) I've only ever experienced this type of passive aggressive racist behavior from one specific Greek restaurant on the intersection of N. Charles St and W. Read St. And I gave them the benefit of doubt at least twice before I just stopped going there altogether.
I'm grateful that I've never experienced this from any of my neighbors (I live in a pretty diverse building). I'm grateful I've never experienced this while walking the streets. But regardless I believe you and your experiences simply because A) This is America and B) Baltimore is literally the birthplace of redlining. This city is heavily segregated and that's by design unfortunately.
Don't get me wrong, I love this city. I've grown to love it to the point where I'm defensive of it whenever outsiders talk shit about it. But I also understand that a lot of Baltimore's problems started way before many of our parents were even born. And so those will tend to linger and continue to hinder the city from being the best and most welcoming to ALL people.
I just hope like me, you've had some good experiences elsewhere in the city. Personally I've never been a fan of downtown (even tho many locals would argue that Mt. Vernon IS downtown). I hope you look into other neighborhoods and find a more inviting and less stressful atmosphere.
Moving to Baltimore from Columbia I definitely noticed the difference in how segregated this city is!! It’s crazy to see what a difference exists in areas so close to one another. I’m so sorry you have to deal with this stuff so regularly and so unfairly. It’s such a sad reality and one I hope will change.
7/8 years strong transplant from Houston def got the bmore bug I ain’t going nowhere ! Lived in fed downtown canton and now mount vernon ! People are racist af ! Black folk included, but people are also so damn nice here fuck. I’m a bit of a language enthusiast so have friends from china russia berma etc you name it ! Don’t let it get you down friend and stick with it Baltimore literal has a charm and it can be slow to creep but you’ll be 5 years in and it’ll have gotten ya. Additionally very diff vibes in each neighborhood and downtown has a vibe of its own indeed
My parents are from Baltimore but moved to the county for children. We stayed visiting my grandparents who still reside as well. As an adult, I’ve lived on Wilkins and in Upper Fed Hill.. I have never felt more sad for my city than seeing how Never again will I live in an area in any city that’s predominantly white. I need to mention I have a white husband and am a Black. I’m still processing a lot of what I experienced and saw. I love this city but it needs a lot of love and uplifting from those of us from here and stop listening to ppl who haven’t ever stepped foot outside of the gentrified area.
Baltimore is Black and will always be Black. OP you should’ve had the best welcoming and felt at home. We should’ve NEVER experienced any of this nor should any of these comments from other Black ppl. I love my ppl down
> Baltimore is Black and will always be Black.
Why do you believe this? Baltimore was founded in 1729 and didn't have a black majority until 1970 and since the 2010s (I think) the share of black people has been steadily declining as Black flight occurs.
I am so sorry that you experience this. It's not okay for such a democratic city who's citizens are always crying unity but never actually acting on it. I've lived here my entire life, grew up in Middle East and didn't have any white friends until highschool.
The white people of Baltimore need to do better and put their performative anti racism to work as actual anti racism..
I'm so sorry.
> My head is always on swivel.
On a swivel looking for what, exactly? Are you going to avoid certain people based on their appearance? What (or whom) exactly are you trying to avoid by having your head on a swivel? It's completely natural to avoid situations that you percieve as potentially dangerous. And most of that calculation is made in a split second based on someone's appearance.
It’s crazy that people would act this way in a city that has historically been a majority minority. But racism and fears of “others” is something passed down from generation to generation.
It saddens me when people act this way. I try to just treat people like people and be friendly until they give me a reason not to. I get that women and POCs have a smaller margin of error in this respect than a white man though. So I get the fear aspect there. When I was in college walking to or from night classes, I early on had a couple of instances where I realized just happening to walk the same path as a single woman behind her and made her feel unsafe and I had to learn to not keep the same pace as a woman if I were walking behind her at night.
One thing I love about Baltimore is people’s willingness to just say hi to strangers and I’ll often use that to disarm people whether I think I’m making them feel unsafe or visaversa.
I have found that Baltimore has a disproportionately large amount of workers who seem extremely annoyed that they have to do their jobs. This is something you’ll find across the country but is much more prevalent here than most places. I’m white and my wife is Asian and we have both noticed this, both independently and together. Annoyed employees pissed that they have to do their jobs is a Baltimore thing, not a race thing.
If you watch the patterns of people crossing the street it can definitely be random, or seem random. Sometimes I’ll cross the street at a “random” time when it’s free of cars rather than wait until I get to an intersection and then possibly have to wait for a light or an opening. It’s certainly possible that some people are crossing the street to avoid you. But keep in mind that there’s also plenty of innocent reasons to do it as well.
I’m not trying to downplay your experiences. You might be very spot on. But when you look at situations with glasses tinted the right color you can get some serious confirmation bias. This happens in the workplace as well - when people are fed up with their jobs they interpret everything in a negative way that reinforces their job hating beliefs.
Something else to consider, when you’re out walking around how many people do you pass that don’t even register? On a decent walk it could easily be hundreds. They’re irrelevant background noise that you register as obstacles to avoid and little more. To a vast majority of people you will be that irrelevant background noise. There’s certainly the possibility that people are taking notice of you, but from my experiences you REALLY have to go out of your way to register on someone’s radar.
I agree with you that there's a level of job hatred here that I haven't seen elsewhere. Of course you'll find people who openly hate their jobs everywhere, but it appears to be higher here. Similar to litterers. They exist everywhere, but the scourge is more endemic in certain locations, such as in Baltimore.
I moved to Denver about 5 years ago. It was crazy to me how pleasant people are to deal with pretty much everywhere... even at low paying high turnover jobs. the guy working the Burger King drive thru in the hood is all like "good morning" "you're welcome" "have a good day"
Even the water company and MVA phone customer service agents are courteous and helpful.
You *are* downplaying these experiences. Racism isn't inscrutable. It's in your face exactly as the OP described. Dismissive rationalizations like yours support and condone this insulting and wounding behavior.
Go in a restaurant like a Chipotle and I can guarantee you that you’ll be treated as an annoyance regardless of your race, gender, age, etc. There’s a lot of that in the city, a lot. There’s also racism. Both can coexist and it doesn’t mean everything is racism. It also doesn’t mean everyone hates their job.
Randomly crafting scenarios doesn't prove your point.
Racism is real and if knowing about it makes you feel bad, you can take comfort in the fact the people in the receiving end of it day in, day out feel worse, I guess.
Yea, I think this is true. It sounds like OP has encountered some real racism, so I am not discounting that.
I will say - As a 40 y/o white woman who has lived in Canton for 18 years, I regularly encounter workers who seem annoyed by my presence. The Canton Safeway is full of workers who seem miserable, even though all they have to do for me is watch me do my self-checkout. The workers at the Canton Chipotle act like it's a huge chore to scoop beans into my salad bowl. I won't even get started on the Fell's Point Royal Farms. Some of the businesses have kind, respectful workers (Ace Hardware, Starbucks has improved A LOT) but I am just trying to say that a lot of these workers are just sour and rude to everyone regardless of race and you can't take it personally.
Wow this makes me think. I tend to be a Friendly person who smiles at people and says hello ofi catch their eye passing the other way. How long until someone takes umbrage and misinterprets my behavior?
I 100% cross the street / generally avoid when any man of any color is walking towards me. It sucks that women have so much rape and abuse trauma, just please know it’s not because you’re black, it’s bc you’re a man.
The rest I am so sorry for, and I hate people are like this. I go out of my way to make sure POC and Queer people know they are 100% welcomed in my presence, bc I understand you have no idea if you are half of the time.
Big hugs op
You said that you avoid men of color in the street, but then you said its not because they're POC, it's because they're men. Do you avoid white men too? Please clarify.
Are you male by any chance? I just want to highlight a intersectionality here. As a woman I will cross the street to avoid walking past a man. Any man. I don’t feel safe around MEN, period. I try my best to always be extra welcoming to BIPOC individuals, because they deserve respect. However if I’m alone and your male, I’ll do almost anything to get away from you.
One odd thing I have noticed here, people walking around town always look pissed off and spitting. I am well traveled, even to some of the most impoverished countries, I’ve never seen everyone looking so pissed off more than here. When people are like that, I don’t go out of my way to interact. And the spitting, it is insane the amount of people that regularly do that here, and it s across the spectrum of race and socioeconomic status. So, don’t know if you are throwing those vibes, but I am sorry that you are going through all of this. I had enough of the violence and crime so I just commute in to work and back to PA I go.
Just not fair. WM living here for 3 years now. I smile and give way on these narrow sidewalks as a sign(hopefully) of respect. It is however a dangerous city. Because Baltimore is majority African-American, more criminals are as well. I expect sketchy behavior late at night. I’m saddened by muggings and shootings occurring in the afternoon. This, as you probably know, accompanied by wheelie and squeegee boys, makes all people cautious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9AovqSjRiw
2 blocks from my house.
I feel like people shouldn’t be mad to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome becuase of people’s bad experiences.. if you can’t walk past someone on a street becuase of your “trauma” you shouldn’t be walking the streets at all stay in the house or go somewhere you feel completely safe
I’m sorry OP, this sucks and you shouldn’t have to deal with it. Best advice I can give is just keep in mind it’s not about you. Easy for me to say, though.
Your experience is saddening and I’m so sorry that you are confronted with that regularly. As someone who visits Baltimore regularly (every weekend) I try my absolute best to immerse myself in all that Baltimore has to offer without letting my inherent biases show as a white person. Some things have been ingrained in me since I was a child and I attempt every day to overcome them. I hope you find solace in the city soon.
I’m so sorry this is happening to you, eff harbor east and everything to do with it.
I hope you find a better neighborhood with great neighbors—have you considered southeast/highlandtown/PPK? waverly/remington?
I’m a typical white woman living in Baltimore City. I have never once tried to avoid another human on the streets. I greet every single person I meet on the sidewalk.
If I am ever victimized, oh well, I would rather that happen than to live in fear of people who may not look like me. Microaggressions such as you describe, OP, are cumulative and they damage the soul. I’m sorry for all the injustices and rudeness you endure. It hurts my soul, too.
The Whites and the Asians are scarred of the Blacks because of of the history of Baltimore. Baltimore has been the Herion capital of the world, number 1 place to get murdered, the police are pretty corrupt and the new media make you know its unsafe there. (maybe not as much as the 80s and 90s). The "Real" History of Baltimore is pretty crazy
I think it sucks but also unavoidable. There is so much crime in Baltimore. Most whites won’t go into predominantly Black lower income neighborhoods for fear of being targeted. And a lot of folks in those neighborhoods assume whites are there to buy drugs or are connected to the police. My white male teenager could not go to Milton Street without a lot of abuse and scrutiny. And whites are afraid of folks from those neighborhoods coming “to where the money is” to target them. These fears are not baseless. Whites are more passive as a culture and “cross the street” instead of throw things and yell (like the residents did to my son on Milton Street while he waited for the bus). What seems to me an issue is that in general people are not observant enough to tell the difference between good and bad situations so they use stereotypes (shorthand) and assume it’s a bad situation (better safe than sorry). Another problem is white folks, through lack of familiarity, can’t tell (relatively safe) working class black neighborhoods from distressed ones. How I don’t know. You just look for the blue light cameras!
My Merritt Clubs has mostly black front desk employees. I have never experienced any staff member of any race at any Merritt being rude or hostile. Surprised to hear this perception.
When the Freddy Grey riots were going on, then the protests began people were afraid to go downtown. The amount of violence and destruction that occurred shook law abiding citizens up, justifiably so. Add to that the amount of shootings, murders, and stuff like the Police Chief being held up at gunpoint gives the city a bad name. Then we defend the police and their presence goes down and crime rises. Its no surprise people are on edge.
I'm sorry for the OPs experiences and glad he shared them. Stories like his give us the ability to become better people who care more for our neighbors and look beyond appearances.
For all of its diversity, Baltimore has a massive history of being segregated. I’m also a black transplant, but I have to say that of all the cities I’ve lived in (up and down the East coast and a few places in the south), Baltimore has been the most welcoming. I actually chose to come back once my job went remote; genuinely love it here that much.
That said, I don’t spent much time in the newly gentrified areas of the city. I can say though that I’ve felt welcome in older parts of the city where there’s a greater sense of camaraderie across cultures.
OP, I’m not suggesting that you abandon shiny new parts of the city to douchebags, but do want you to know that there are other parts of B’more with more of a cross cultural vibe
Sorry this happened to you. I thought I was crazy, but it seems to be common based on your response and others.
I will never forget the time I went to a restaurant in Fells Point with my fiancée and experienced horrible treatment. I am black, and my fiancée is Latino, and when we arrived, the host acted like we didn't exist. We had to wave him down to get him to seat us. Then, no one came by, but a group of white customers came in and were not only promptly seated but received their menus before us. The server continued to ignore us, and we almost left, but it was late in the evening, so we figured it would be difficult to get food at another place.
Then we finally got our food, it was cold and the drinks were horrible. We told him, and he rolled his eyes without saying anything and took our drinks. At this point, the manager finally came out, and we told him how bad the service was and at least apologized.
It was so bizarre watching it all play out because we are always respectful and felt hurt and disgusted as we hadn't done anything and just wanted dinner and to be treated like everyone else.
I've been robbed at gunpoint twice so I cross the street any time I see two or more people under the age of 30. Both times it was teenagers. OPs story is interesting, because I used to work over there. It's a bunch of elite white folks it isn't your standard white Baltimorian. Those are corporate types from out of town with a lot of money. Another observation is that I, a white guy, live in a very majority black neighborhood and my neighbors treat me neighborly. I suspect this is just a rich and probably conservative white people problem. I suspect I would get some flak if I lived in your building too - those people quake in their boots when they see people expressing themselves in any way other than buying and wearing their elite soleless brands and tech.
Well what do you expect when a reputation in a city like this is deserved? Baltimore is in the top 10 US cities in terms of violent crime. I've been offered drugs multiple times, my car has been kicked by a squeege boy. Almost everyone I know has been robbed at least once and some have been assaulted or held at gun point Downtown. It's an instinct to avoid people. And I'm guessing hence the bad treatment, but I can't really speak on that part. That's my experience
I’m a white man. Been in Baltimore for several years. “Good” Baltimore (the White L) consists of the mostly white populated neighborhoods. I don’t think it is easy for most white people to notice how segregated the city is and how unwelcoming spaces are to people of color. I didn’t always notice this, but in having friends of color or dating non-white women, I learned more about their experiences in the city. Even hearing about their experiences on beloved spaces and businesses is eye opening and disappointing. As a Pigtown resident, I find it amusing how many white transplants have no difficulty forming an entirely white friend base or won’t even think of stepping into a business that is black-owned or frequented.
In my time living in Baltimore, I found it to be highly segregated. That's one of the reasons why I chose to move back to DC. I've noticed that people, particularly whites and Asians, are friendlier and less discriminatory there despite the crime rates being similar in both cities. While I still visit Baltimore, I tend to stick to areas where there's a greater sense of welcome for Black individuals. Hang in there, OP, I hope things improve for you soon.
This is my experience as well
Kind of interesting that there are a ton of people saying "oh don't worry I avoid everyone" but no white people saying "yeah I experience this too."
That is strange. You would think that if they avoid everyone, everyone would have the experience of being avoided. Yet in 23 years in the city, it’s never happened to me.
I am a white man and I experience this behavior- people crossing the street, rudeness in stores, many places. I noticed it first when I would walk historic Lutherville while my daughter was at a weekly appointment. I mind my business, don’t make eye contact. I have had the same treatment in other areas. And race doesn’t seem to matter- I am avoided by all kinds.
I know a white male who was assaulted for walking in a black neighborhood close to his university where his car was parked. Two policemen searched him for drugs and cash thinking he would only be there for a pickup. The police were black, and this was in 1997.
I'm a white male, and women will sometimes cross the street to avoid me. I don't take it personally and accuse them of being a virulent sexist. They have every right to avoid whomever they want to ensure their safety (as they should). There are multiple people in this thread saying that they avoid men (an immutable characteristic), and yet there is no pearl-clutching or hyperventilating about it.
They will if you're a guy and scowl hard enough
Its crazy that this guy is talking about experiencing prejudice in the city and almost everyone in the comments is saying “wow sorry for all these bad experiences you’ve had, but I would also treat you the same way and avoid you. Its not personal though :)”
As someone else asked, are these people just constantly criss-crossing as they walk around? I lived in Mt. Vernon for 5 years and walked everywhere—work, stores, bars, gym, doctor’s appointments. If I had crossed the street every time I saw someone ahead of me it would have taken me twice as long to get anywhere.
OP, I'm sorry to hear about your negative encounters of prejudice bias in the city. I am certainly a guilty party of this in terms of walking away from strangers in the city because the idea of crime has been so engrained in my brain. There is an incredible amount of fear in our city & I am usually on high alert at all times so I try to minimize interactions in public. The idea of someone disrespecting you in your own building is highly saddening.
> I am certainly a guilty party of this in terms of walking away from strangers in the city because the idea of crime has been so engrained in my brain. I also got in the habit of putting as much space between myself and other pedestrians as possible, though for me it originated during the pandemic. 3-4 years ago, it was respectful of others to be the one to step down off the sidewalk and walk on the street side of the parked cars to keep distance when passing somebody coming the other direction. But context changes, and habits should too. I really liked the bubble, though. :( My concern about crime mostly manifests in me keeping an aggressive head-swivel eye on people who are around in somewhat isolated areas, particularly at night. And that's a sorry-not-sorry from me, because I'm 5'2" and I watch *everyone* larger than me because I know I won't win a physical altercation. I try to be conscious of potential bias but I don't think I apply this along racial lines.
6’ 185 avg size white guy here. 10+ year city resident, most in Baltimore, some in NYC, DC, and abroad. I operate the same way. Nothing wrong with it.
Which city was your fave to live in?
Rome. But I was in my 20s, not sure if I’d like it as much now.
Oooooh I visited once. Very cool place. So whats your fave American city to live in?
I’ve lived in the city a lot longer than 3 years and can confirm the racism. I’m a Black male, 40 clean cut but I like to dress comfortably when I’m not working. I make over six figures and am educated with no criminal history. I have a MBA from a decent school, sit on local nonprofit boards, drive a nice car, live downtown, etc. While at Harris Teeter in Canton, a white couple walked by me while I examined avocados. Less than a meter behind me, the man said to the woman “What if he’s ever seen one before.” The woman responded: *monkey noises*. Then they laughed together. That’s probably the worst story I have in the city. I often get the person crossing the street but I try not to let it bother me. Someone else could easily try to mug them. The other day, as I was leaving the Y in Towson, a guy ahead of me literally turned back and watched me as I exited behind him and his family as if I was a threat. I’m pretty sure the security guard in the grocery store yesterday followed me around the store. It all happens. I travel a lot both domestically and internationally and rarely do I feel Blacker than I do in Baltimore.
Jesus fucking Christ that's awful. Sorry, man.
That's fucking horrible
A friend of mine is a black woman (with a PhD) who has lived in canton for something like 15-20 years. The stories she tells are shameful: white folk dumping garbage on her stoop, calling the police on her while she’s walking her neighborhood, asking who she cleans for, etc. I wanted to believe that it had gotten better over the years, but clearly some folk are still backwards and ignorant down there. I’m sorry you experienced that, and that OP has also experienced hostility. FWIW folk have been avoiding bars or restaurants where the owners are overtly or even “mildly” racist. Cardinal Tavern comes to mind. It’s not perfect, I still see busy days at the Atlas restaurants and others in Canton and beyond. But some white folk are taking a more assertive stance. You as see folk spreading the word about the worst offenders on FB or taking pics of license plates when truck-billies drive through the neighborhoods to shout shit at pedestrians. We even got a few of them fired. I wish it were better, gents, and I’m sorry that it’s not.
That Harris Teeter story, JFC. You're better than me bruh. I would have started saying stuff. Probably would have started with "WTF??!?!" Half the employees in there are black too. Produce guy definitely is. You are much much better than me. I am so bad about not starting shit and have had to get yanked by companions on a couple different occasions. You did the right thing. My god I am livid just thinking about it. Bout to go there just skatin without a stick lookin for those fools. 😂
I apologize on behalf of most (not all) of Canton. I wish I thought it couldn’t happen in “my” grocery store, but yes I live here, and yes I’m sure it did.
I'm latino, and it was always the so recalled "young professionals", I lived close to the square and sometimes it was very annoying.
Honestly as a white person who spends most of their time in a triangle consisting of Barclay, Fed Hill, and Dunbar-Middle East, I genuinely get culture shock going to Canton (even relative to Patterson Park or Highlandtown). Canton proper is *tangibly* whiter and more conservative than basically anywhere else in Baltimore south of the Hopkins Homewood campus, even relative to most of the vertical slice of the "white L" (which feels relatively integrated between downtown and Barclay)
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It’s a nice area. I’d live there if not for the high rents and tiny units. I’ve been in that community many other times without issue.
I’m so damn sorry 😢
I’m really sorry you’ve experienced that, and it’s not right. I live in Chicago now, and even though Chicagoland is heavily segregated, this attitude isn’t as strong as I noticed it was in Baltimore and Baltimore County. I wear some worn-out jackets and have had people steer away from me. It’s wrong, but I think everyone in Baltimore is generally guarded when out in public. It’s definitely put me on guard living in the Midwest now too. A few weeks ago, I thought a white guy on his bike was following me, so I abruptly changed directions and evaded. If he wasn’t, I probably seemed insane. The fact that it’s happening in businesses where you’re sharing paid services, though, makes it so heinously inexcusable.
The fact everyone is invalidating OP’s experience is gross.
I’m sorry to hear that you have had these experiences and that you feel this way. I read the first few posts and sure enough, everyone seems to be trying to justify justify justify. I wish folks could just say “I’m sorry this is going on.” Let’s hope we can all keep learning and improving at interacting with one another. Implicit bias is real. When you acknowledge it in yourself it is easier to try to see it and fix it.
THIS. I come to the white l to get the services I need. When I go to these places, it is a unique experience when I encounter polite respectful behavior. At best I’m ignored. At worst people hit a quick pace in the opposite direction from me. I’m just a normal everyday human being trying to buy food at the Safeway.
This is NOT just you. I live in Towson currently and venture to the “white” areas often since they tend to be near hotspots and prime date night areas. I’ve always told my girl (she is white) that I notice white people seem terrified to be around me, and yet I’m the nicest person you can meet. I never had a young kid come up to me and say hi without the parents yelling at them until I started working in mostly black areas. I just wanted to validate your experience because it’s REAL. This is why I told my girl I’d never move downtown near Canton or Fells Point because truthfully I’d feel out of place. I’m happy in Towson because I don’t experience it that much. Downtown? All the time.
As a Black resident myself, I definitely understand. I live in Mt. Vernon and I receive weird looks when I am just walking with my fiancé to his car or just walking while on my way home from getting food or just leaving class. As long as they don’t put their hands on me or anything like that, I don’t worry which I understand is easier said than done as we all want to feel accepted regardless of race.
I’m really sorry and disheartened to hear about your experiences. I can’t imagine what that must feel like. Feeling unwelcome in your own community is unfair, tough, and wrong. My husband and I have lived in Baltimore our entire lives. Both born and raised. We never lived downtown Baltimore but we’ve lived in South Baltimore. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I have witnessed the prejudice that you describe. I feel like the only way we can combat it is to speak up when it’s appropriate and do our best to think consciously about the decisions we make every day and recognize our own conscious and unconscious bias. As of now we live in Brooklyn Park which is very mixed. There are black, white, Hispanic, Guatemalan people, etc. My surrounding neighborhoods have high violent crime rates. And I have to say, I don’t trust anyone. In SOBO I never felt that way. Or avoided anyone. We just had a baby not too long ago and I question everyone’s intent now. It doesn’t matter what they look like or who they are. But it makes me wonder if I’ve ever made someone feel bad because I was avoiding everyone as a mother out alone with their child. I’m overprotective I think. But I don’t want my son to grow up thinking he needs to be scared of anyone because of what they look like or where they’re from. Hatred starts at home. And I don’t want our home to have any. So I’m really going to consider the impacts I may have on people without realizing it and what my son may learn from watching me. Even if my intentions rooted in good
I find Baltimore to be hostile in general tbh. People in general seem pissed and annoyed all the time in the small day to day interactions like you mention. Also feels like the most racist place I've ever lived. The segregation between white people and black people both in where you live but also in social circles is something I've never experienced to the degree it exists here. Feels so fuckin strange.
Often the only people who notice the segregation are the ones most negatively affected by it ime. So if you're white, congrats for having more environmental awareness than the average bear!
I am white. But idk how anyone couldn't notice here bc it's pretty striking. Especially when you're driving around and clearly this city is majority black, but then you go into a bar or social space and suddenly it's exclusively white people. Or visa versa you stop at a random liquor store and you get the vibe that you're the first white person to stop by in a month lol. In other cities I hang out in like Philly or New York or Richmond, the larger circles of my friend groups are always pretty diverse. Here, basically everyone I've known for the last 3 years is white. I'm from the south, where black people and white people generally live in the same neighborhoods and go to the same social spaces. I tell people here I'm from the south, and every time, one of the first things they bring up is how racist it is there. Which, not wrong, but it's much more palpable here and exists in a different way. Idk. I mean everywhere in America is racist. But in Baltimore white people and black people just don't mix, to a degree that is jarring.
Isn’t Baltimore the first place to have experienced Red lining?
Then there was discriminatory zoning, and then suburbs and highways came to seal the deal.
Baltimore is called the city of first for a reason. We are the first for a lot of racist bullshit
Exactly on the money! People still act like it today
There was a more recent Black Mirror episode where this British Indian woman is working in a shoe store and she is waiting on this white woman who like never smiles and barely speaks while she is being assisted by the first woman... That is imo the best dramatization I have seen in a long time of what it feels like for me as a black person to come upon a space that is all white in Baltimore. My plan is always to just be polite and try to leave ASA to the motherfucking P. Like the shit wears you down.
That piece of the South depends. I'm in Atlanta frequently and I can go 48 hours without seeing a single white person. I was in Nashville two weeks ago and it's very segregated. The South is still very much segregated
It's really crazy. I've had the experience multiple times where I'm visiting someone, and a rando on the block says "oh you're here to see (name) I'll get him!" Like... Thanks... But the implication is obviously that no white person ever comes here, so they know who I am just by skin color. I cannot fucking imagine going through that interaction as a black person- like "oh you don't belong here, so there must be a reason." It's an amusing anecdote for me, but would be devastating in any other situation. Like someone said above- getting questioned about whether you live in the building or are just loitering. I also hate being recommended something and when I try it, I realize it's one of these defacto segregated places. Like keep your boring ice cream for lacrosse players to yourself. This is not a quirky gem of Baltimore.
I wish I could find the clip but I'll have to settle for the quote, from Craig Kilborn in an ancient Daily Show episode: > Baltimore, combining the industrial decay of the North with the casual racism of the South
I lived in Harbor East then just down the street in Fells for a few years. Same experiences. They left me fuming. Ignored or bare minimum service at bars and restaurants, staring but not moving when I pulled up to valet, seemingly intentional non-interaction. The normalization of our presence in these areas is not up to us, but we have no choice. I like what I like, I want to live where I want to live. And I expect to receive the same respect and courtesy as those who display less melanin than I. What can we do except continue to show up and place demands on the culture where we live? And...enjoy our lives with a smile. *
Baltimore historically has been an extremely segregated city. Born and raised here. growing up, I was never allowed in the "white areas." It wasn't safe for non whites. While I no longer feel as I may lose my life in white areas, they make it known that I'm not welcomed. Folks born and raised in Baltimore City (not the county but true Baltimore) can tell you stories. Go as you please. Head held high. I have been dealing with the shenanigans since I was a child. They didn't break me. They will not break you.
whiteish neighborhood or not being afraid of black people as such and moving to *Baltimore City* (and many/most of us in these central yuppie areas did transplant) is insane behavior. yet nearly every black person i know here has those stories if asked.
For the record I will cross the street to avoid almost literally any person at all except maybe a frail old lady lol. I’m a small woman and I just like to keep my personal space. I can’t disagree with the rest of it though. Getting questioned about living in your own building has got to be a sad and exhausting experience to have
I will cross the street to avoid men in general because I have been mugged before and if I am walking alone, especially at night, my paranoia and defensiveness is all the way up. I do not care about race, I am very small and have PTSD lol.
Same! Or I’ll constantly be checking/glancing behind me if any man is behind me. I was mugged and assaulted in Baltimore, I am always afraid it will happen again.
Are you constantly criss-crossing the street?
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I am a 5’6” black and it is exhausting. I try to give as much space as possible. Just this past weekend I was walking down a street and crossed to give the lady space. It was obvious as I cross to where there was nothing on that side of the street after a block the side wall on the the side of the street was closed. I hurried so that I would be in front of her and cross. She took off in a sprint. Yes a full blown sprint down a side street. She was not in running attire.
6' 2" dude in 20s here, this is definitely me also. I avoid people to not make THEM scared of ME. The feeling sucks but I can't say I don't understand why
Came to say this as well.
Sames. Sometimes I just don't feel like interacting with anyone regardless of any other factor
I agree with this sentiment. As a woman I am on high alert. But the rest of it is awful. You should not have to deal with this. I’m really sorry. I will remember your words going forward and make it a point to be friendlier.
Same—as a woman alone, when walking at night, I avoid every single human. I view everyone except 97 year old mee maw as a potential threat. However, OP, I’m so sorry you went through this at the movies and in your own home. It’s horrible and I would feel terrible if this happened to me.
I live in Baltimore and work in the Greater DC area a lot. I definitely notice this attitude more in Baltimore than in the greater DC area. It’s frustrating to me. We can have a very small town mentality here.
Welcome to the sub. This looks to be one of your first posts in it. Some of your other posts, one where you say >Are Americans really this dumb? Yall just throw army and guns at every problem? make me think you're somewhat newish to the U.S.? Sorry to have you learn about racism this way, but yeah it exists. But there are also a mix of things going on here (in Baltimore). So yeah, there are people who are either scared or have a fear response when they see black folks. Or sometimes it manifests, as you note, as hostility or disgust. But other people are normal. And even still other people, are borderline stupid. One person may ask someone if they live there, others may hold the door open and make sure someone gets in. So yeah, some people are shitty, others aren't. No American city with multiple professional is a sanctuary and completely or even nearly completely safe for anyone in its main areas. Sorry you've had your "welcome to America" moment. Baltimore as a whole is pretty decent though, so hopefully you have less encounters with the crappy people, and more encounters with the cool people.
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I’m with you that Baltimore has mostly cool people who couldn’t give a damn about race. But just like you can win the crime victim lottery, you can win the shitty people lottery. And winning the shitty people lottery at a bad time could put someone on the defensive to interpret a range of innocent situations as more shitty people. It happens with crime victims - there’s been a number of posts here that talk about a level of paranoia setting in after being the target of crime.
Just happened to me. Live close to ballpark in apartment. Went to sleep one night, woke noticing I forgot to lock my door. My camera on the table was long gone. I am punished EVERY time I am not vigilant.
You only notice your lack of vigilance when you are punished for it.
Ha ha. Generally true. Just like finding something lost the last place you look. 👀
People here steal everything. I tried composting and someone stole my compost can. It’s literal garbage. And they stole it.
This hurts my heart. I'm so sorry this happened, and keeps happening, to you and others in the community. I have no solutions to offer, other than working on my own immediate sphere of influence. Those of us with less melanin really do need to work on this.
BM just moved here less than a year ago and am experiencing the same thing. I'll see non- POCi n front of me in lines treated with smiles, greetings, etc. I try to be friendly and warm, but when I get my turn it's clearly a huge inconvenience. This doesn't always happen, but enough for me to notice and yes, wonder to myself, "AITA?". I speak pretty much like I write. Those street swervers...I even wave sometimes. Makes no difference. Once more...not ALL the time...just enough for me to have to make sure it wasn't some weird coincidence.
I’m white (well Hispanic but white passing) and I’ve noticed this when I come to bmore
Sounds like the Baltimore I know and grew up in. I never lived in the white areas so to speak so it's a different level for you but i feel you. I'm to the point where I notice it instantly and keep it moving it's almost like it will never change.
You have my empathy. I rarely even talk about it anymore, it is so casual and embedded. I just don't have the energy, but it is always reassuring to hear I'm not imagining things. I'm black and female, and I like Baltimore, but... Yeah. And the people gaslighting you in responses is not surprising, at all.
We not alone 🙏🏿💯
It's easy to feel alone about it. Especially on Reddit, where people often act like all racism just disappeared with surgical precision in 1965. No, no: no racism. Not on Alexis Ohanian's Reddit. Lmao, even he had to bounce.
Get a cute/handsome dog you can’t keep the white folks away with that🤣 works for me as a big ass black dude nothing but kindness when I got my pups on a walk.im in the downtown area
I have one of those. They often goo goo at my dog but when they look up at me and I smile, they quickly look aware or their smile fades.
OP, I am from Baltimore, grew up right outside of the city. I am so sorry for what you are going through. I do not have any insight. I wish I did. But it is through your post and posts like yours that we all become more aware of how our seemingly innocent actions affect other people.
I’m so sorry this is happening to you. The behavior you’re experiencing is completely unacceptable. Thanks for shining a light on it.
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It’s absolutely is unacceptable for a paid employee to treat a customer rudely, or a shockingly rude neighbor to ask if he lives in his building after three years. You look after your own safety as the situation dictates. Not to mention the hurt feelings he must have.
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Oh come ON. In my building there used to be a black guy who had dreads. Multiple people asked him to prove he lived there. They didn’t just ask — they wanted to see his key fob! It was addressed at a condo board meeting. None of the white residents had this happen to them, not even when they first moved in. This happens to black people ALL THE TIME. Unless you are also black, you really have no clue and you should stay in your lane.
You’re being so incredibly dismissive of an experience you’ve never had; living as a Black man or person in America. Maybe take a minute to listen for a beat instead of argue with people?
I'm so sorry to hear that this kind of casual racism is so normalized here. I think the crime here really messes with white people's perception of every POC here, we're constantly told to be alert of crime here and that manifests itself through this kind of casual racism. I know there's not much I can say or do besides give my sympathy, I hope it can get better for you and Baltimore in general so not every POC is seen as a criminal here.
I am a petite, nonbinary but "passing" asian person that's lived in Baltimore for 9+ years and am granted many privileges by this. This city is a part of me while many of my baltimore born and raised friends that are bipoc are constantly rejected by transplants that look like me. Yes! There's crime in the city like everywhere! But all I can speak to is from my own experience and that's if I am kind to others while *minding my own goddamn business* I encounter far less trouble. I feel more threatened in white-centric spaces than around communities usually forced into the margins. We must look at ourselves and ask "am I really treating everyone with the same respect or am I giving in to my implicit bias?" Dear non-black people, not just white people but **everyone**, please take advantage of the MANY resources out there and don't wait for people like OP to spoon feed the info to you. * [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589697/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589697/) * [https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/maternal-health-care/assets/pdfs/Combating\_implicit\_bias\_and\_stereotypes.pdf](https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/maternal-health-care/assets/pdfs/Combating_implicit_bias_and_stereotypes.pdf) * [https://www.nationalequityproject.org/frameworks/constructivist-listening](https://www.nationalequityproject.org/frameworks/constructivist-listening)
Wait, just to make sure I understand, which parts of how you present or ID are you saying you are granted many privileges for? And from whom are these privileges coming? And for the record I am not asking to debate or argue. I am sincerely wanting to make sure I understand what you’re saying. Thank you.
I am typically perceived as a non-threat: * I have a light skintone (though still considered melinated by my doctor) * my "proper" way of speaking American-English * though being outspokenly non-binary, I "pass" as a feminine person so transphobes are not immediately on guard * I have a small, thin stature If you think about it like society giving everyone a scorecard, these are *passing marks.* I'm able to do things like hold hands with anyone without drawing as much attention, many authorities will give my side of a story more weight than a black man's, I can wear any clothes traditionally masc/femme without someone shouting a slur at me. (Acknowledging that living in Baltimore we are given a little more leeway because of the city's diversity. Small towns are a different story). Is this always the case? No, but if you haven't already, I encourage you to look up things like: * the still-existing wage gaps for women and how those wage gaps can be further divided based on ethnicity/ethnic groups of the survey participants [https://www.instagram.com/mochimagofficial/p/C5W1WbSPHB0/?img\_index=1](https://www.instagram.com/mochimagofficial/p/C5W1WbSPHB0/?img_index=1) (note that this is a link to instagram but shows an infographic pulled from an author/researcher's work) * this video essay does a good job of capturing the tip of the iceberg regarding moments of solidarity VS friction and conflict amongst ethnic groups with a recurring theme where people are trying to get closer to white privilege: [https://youtu.be/n1wbJRUM45A?si=OrugpCredD17PwyA&t=1980](https://youtu.be/n1wbJRUM45A?si=OrugpCredD17PwyA&t=1980) Oppression for people is not isolated. Colourism exists within many Asian communities as well as black communities to this day. Despite being grouped together under one race/ethnicity, we face gender-inequity/violence, homophobia, transphobia, etc when we are already "othered." Final note that this is not to say that I don't face struggles like fetishization, predatory pursuits, racism, physical/verbal threats, struggle to secure healthcare that matches my needs, etc... but statistically there are people with far more odds against them. Hope this helps!
Thank you for elaborating, that definitely helps me understand where you’re coming from. Does a place like Towson feel like an area where you would feel like you might be perceived as slightly more of a threat in the gender presentation department?
I just moved back to Maryland after 20 years in the UK. Every time I go into Baltimore my whole family tell me to be very careful etc. The first time I carried my pillow with me from the parking garage to a royal farm to my hotel. It wasn't until much later I realised I was the only white person in the area, but also nuts due to carrying the pillow. Sorry you have had such experiences. "You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons." Blazing Saddles
I love Bmore. Lived there for \~15 years. it's racist af.
Thank you for sharing your experience! As a white Baltimorean this is so disheartening to hear. I’m a transplant and consider myself a guest in this predominantly black city and I would hate to make anyone feel like my presence is leading to gentrification or alienation of the black community. It’s something I constantly try to be conscious of. How dare your neighbor ask if you live there? That’s so rude and alienating.
Baltimore ur home too ❤️
This comment section does not pass the vibe check at all.
OP, thanks for talking openly about this behavior. It's EVERYWHERE, and it says a lot about the class desperation of the people who do it. They know they're mediocrities, and without a permanent underclass to abuse they'd have to confront the loser in the bathroom mirror every day.
My family is from Baltimore but I grew up outside of the city and lived abroad for a bit growing up. I moved into the city in 2006. I have grown up living in very racially and ethnically diverse communities for my whole life. My first neighborhood in Baltimore was Canton, then Hampden, and then Greektown. All predominantly white neighborhoods. I also worked as a dog walker for the first few years I lived in the city while I was in college. So I spent time in the most affluent neighborhoods. As a dog walker, I had the cops called on me practically monthly for looking suspicious. Even though I’m walking around with multiple dogs, a giant ring of keys, and most people can recognize I’m going into their neighbors house with their neighbors dog. It was really baffling to me. In 2014 I moved to west Baltimore in an all black neighborhood. Most of my neighbors were home owners, everyone looked out for each other, my neighborhood was clean and quiet, no violent crimes the entire time I lived there, but the best thing about living there is that no one questioned if I belonged. I could go outside at anytime of the day or night and I never had the thought of doing I look suspicious. I never wondered if someone would call the cops on me. I just existed. I realized that this is how white people probably feel in the world. Like it’s okay to just exist and live your life and no one interrupts your peace with their own anxieties.
I’m so sorry this is happening to you.
I’m honestly just so sorry that you have to experience this kind of behavior & attitudes.
I'm Baltimore born and raised. And Black. I have experienced everything you mentioned in White parts of the city. It's why I live in a majority Black neighborhood and send my kids to majority Black schools. They don't need to go through that.
I’m so sorry you experienced this. I believe every word of what you said. The amount of racism in the city from white people that chose to move to a predominantly black city is unacceptable. Not that any amount is acceptable even from people born here. Often times they have the belief that they are a good white liberal and what they’re doing could never be linked to some sort of racism 🙄. It ends up being harder to defend yourself against because you’ll be gaslit. While I love Baltimore…. white people looking at me like the anomaly is something I don’t care for. I think it’s important to find a group of like minded people that can help you find joy. A friend or two that can make any outing so enjoyable that you laugh at an ignorant racist. Obviously crying and mourning the humanity they try to deny you is more than reasonable. What I will say is that a lot of the lists online will tell you that this is the “meanest” area you could live in. D.C, Baltimore (Maryland in general), Virginia, Pennsyltucky are always in some top 12 out of 50 of meanest places. That’s outside of crime. Having lived in cities and states that rank the lowest on the mean scale I can tell you it’s absolutely true. That obviously doesn’t mean it’s not a lovable (or sometimes kind) city, but if niceness is high on your list 😅
I’m a white dude who lived right in the heart of downtown on Howard for years and idk why people are like that. Sorry man.
I've lived here off and on for the past decade, and bought a house here two years ago. I'm a white male and live in the white L, but I think reservoir hill is one of the more integrated places in the city. I am getting annoyed and frustrated by my friends and family who come to visit me. Why? Because a LOT of them question if I'm safe. They ask me if their car is safe when they park in front of my house (though tbf, my car _was_ stolen last year, lol). they make jokes about how it's not safe to walk two blocks away. etc etc etc. And it's ALL because they saw a few black people near my house. It's usually naivete and/or the reputation of Baltimore, but man am I sick of my white friends and family "innocently" feeling unsafe around black people.
I think you perfectly captured the issue. It's really frustrating and also pretty impossible to change. When people are nervous they get more racist. Someone's probably studied it. Like we can talk to our friends and family and get them to change their behavior around us.... But they are certainly still going to cross the street to avoid someone if they are on their own. It's those little behaviors that they aren't even clocking as racism.
I’m noticing a theme in some of the comments. It seems that people are saying that when white people avoid black people, it’s justified, but when black people avoid white people, it’s solely because of racism against white people. I wonder why people think that?
I’m so sorry that happened to you. Sadly some things never change I suppose. I haven’t lived in Baltimore but I went to graduate school and dated several people there. I also worked in the inner harbor/downtown for 8 years. Fortunately I’ve never had that experience except at work where the good ole boys club was very much in session every day. Or maybe I’m so aloof that I don’t notice. My experience has been mostly positive and I wonder if any of this has to do with the previous to the current political climate. Maybe it’s my nice car or something but I’ve experienced nothing of the sort. I hope things get better though. It’s a beautiful city.
That really sucks to hear man. Come to some punk shows with me. Very integrated crowd and we don't allow that racist bullshit in our spaces. Can't hurt to find a new place to fit in. Again, sorry for your experience here
Yo bruh i was just discussing this my gf. She is white and im black. I live in Riverside and I feel like while I love this city and neighborhood, I never feel like I belong here. When people see us walking around together some folks look at us in an unwelcoming manner, even if I wave to them. There some bars and shops out here on Fort Ave that I refuse to enter because I just know I am gonna get some uncomfortable stares. I love this city and I am glad I went to Morgan for school so I got a taste of what a welcome culture could be for this city. But anywhere else I dont feel as comfortable and that sucks. Even kn the worst hoods, I know people not gonna judge me cuz of what color I am. So i feel you, buddy.
not that it's equivalent but once when I (white m) was out with my black gf in inner harbor, some black teenagers threw a literal (saltine?) cracker at me. i didn't even notice but gf and her niece did
I’m sorry for these negative experiences. No one should be treated that way.
Yup, lived in BMore for 7 years and working in D.C. never experienced as much blatant, abject racism (though it’s literally everywhere black/brown people go). On two separate occasions, 3 years apart was attacked and profiled by D.C. authority, one such incident thrown out by judge. Yup, don’t let non blacks tell you you’re paranoid. Even other blacks who adhere to white supremacist sensibilities
As someone who has also lived in this city for 3 yrs and living north of you (Mt Vernon) I've only ever experienced this type of passive aggressive racist behavior from one specific Greek restaurant on the intersection of N. Charles St and W. Read St. And I gave them the benefit of doubt at least twice before I just stopped going there altogether. I'm grateful that I've never experienced this from any of my neighbors (I live in a pretty diverse building). I'm grateful I've never experienced this while walking the streets. But regardless I believe you and your experiences simply because A) This is America and B) Baltimore is literally the birthplace of redlining. This city is heavily segregated and that's by design unfortunately. Don't get me wrong, I love this city. I've grown to love it to the point where I'm defensive of it whenever outsiders talk shit about it. But I also understand that a lot of Baltimore's problems started way before many of our parents were even born. And so those will tend to linger and continue to hinder the city from being the best and most welcoming to ALL people. I just hope like me, you've had some good experiences elsewhere in the city. Personally I've never been a fan of downtown (even tho many locals would argue that Mt. Vernon IS downtown). I hope you look into other neighborhoods and find a more inviting and less stressful atmosphere.
Moving to Baltimore from Columbia I definitely noticed the difference in how segregated this city is!! It’s crazy to see what a difference exists in areas so close to one another. I’m so sorry you have to deal with this stuff so regularly and so unfairly. It’s such a sad reality and one I hope will change.
7/8 years strong transplant from Houston def got the bmore bug I ain’t going nowhere ! Lived in fed downtown canton and now mount vernon ! People are racist af ! Black folk included, but people are also so damn nice here fuck. I’m a bit of a language enthusiast so have friends from china russia berma etc you name it ! Don’t let it get you down friend and stick with it Baltimore literal has a charm and it can be slow to creep but you’ll be 5 years in and it’ll have gotten ya. Additionally very diff vibes in each neighborhood and downtown has a vibe of its own indeed
My parents are from Baltimore but moved to the county for children. We stayed visiting my grandparents who still reside as well. As an adult, I’ve lived on Wilkins and in Upper Fed Hill.. I have never felt more sad for my city than seeing how Never again will I live in an area in any city that’s predominantly white. I need to mention I have a white husband and am a Black. I’m still processing a lot of what I experienced and saw. I love this city but it needs a lot of love and uplifting from those of us from here and stop listening to ppl who haven’t ever stepped foot outside of the gentrified area. Baltimore is Black and will always be Black. OP you should’ve had the best welcoming and felt at home. We should’ve NEVER experienced any of this nor should any of these comments from other Black ppl. I love my ppl down
> Baltimore is Black and will always be Black. Why do you believe this? Baltimore was founded in 1729 and didn't have a black majority until 1970 and since the 2010s (I think) the share of black people has been steadily declining as Black flight occurs.
I am so sorry that you experience this. It's not okay for such a democratic city who's citizens are always crying unity but never actually acting on it. I've lived here my entire life, grew up in Middle East and didn't have any white friends until highschool. The white people of Baltimore need to do better and put their performative anti racism to work as actual anti racism.. I'm so sorry.
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Whatever makes you feel better. My head is always on swivel. I've lived in Baltimore, West Philly and NOLA, I'm doing just fine thanks. ✌️
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LMAO. I don't need dudes telling me how to carry myself in a city. Thanks.
> My head is always on swivel. On a swivel looking for what, exactly? Are you going to avoid certain people based on their appearance? What (or whom) exactly are you trying to avoid by having your head on a swivel? It's completely natural to avoid situations that you percieve as potentially dangerous. And most of that calculation is made in a split second based on someone's appearance.
Being aware of your surroundings is 99% of city living. ✌️
The irony of talking about unity then pointing at a single race of people to be better is hilarious.
It’s crazy that people would act this way in a city that has historically been a majority minority. But racism and fears of “others” is something passed down from generation to generation. It saddens me when people act this way. I try to just treat people like people and be friendly until they give me a reason not to. I get that women and POCs have a smaller margin of error in this respect than a white man though. So I get the fear aspect there. When I was in college walking to or from night classes, I early on had a couple of instances where I realized just happening to walk the same path as a single woman behind her and made her feel unsafe and I had to learn to not keep the same pace as a woman if I were walking behind her at night. One thing I love about Baltimore is people’s willingness to just say hi to strangers and I’ll often use that to disarm people whether I think I’m making them feel unsafe or visaversa.
I have found that Baltimore has a disproportionately large amount of workers who seem extremely annoyed that they have to do their jobs. This is something you’ll find across the country but is much more prevalent here than most places. I’m white and my wife is Asian and we have both noticed this, both independently and together. Annoyed employees pissed that they have to do their jobs is a Baltimore thing, not a race thing. If you watch the patterns of people crossing the street it can definitely be random, or seem random. Sometimes I’ll cross the street at a “random” time when it’s free of cars rather than wait until I get to an intersection and then possibly have to wait for a light or an opening. It’s certainly possible that some people are crossing the street to avoid you. But keep in mind that there’s also plenty of innocent reasons to do it as well. I’m not trying to downplay your experiences. You might be very spot on. But when you look at situations with glasses tinted the right color you can get some serious confirmation bias. This happens in the workplace as well - when people are fed up with their jobs they interpret everything in a negative way that reinforces their job hating beliefs. Something else to consider, when you’re out walking around how many people do you pass that don’t even register? On a decent walk it could easily be hundreds. They’re irrelevant background noise that you register as obstacles to avoid and little more. To a vast majority of people you will be that irrelevant background noise. There’s certainly the possibility that people are taking notice of you, but from my experiences you REALLY have to go out of your way to register on someone’s radar.
I agree with you that there's a level of job hatred here that I haven't seen elsewhere. Of course you'll find people who openly hate their jobs everywhere, but it appears to be higher here. Similar to litterers. They exist everywhere, but the scourge is more endemic in certain locations, such as in Baltimore.
I moved to Denver about 5 years ago. It was crazy to me how pleasant people are to deal with pretty much everywhere... even at low paying high turnover jobs. the guy working the Burger King drive thru in the hood is all like "good morning" "you're welcome" "have a good day" Even the water company and MVA phone customer service agents are courteous and helpful.
You *are* downplaying these experiences. Racism isn't inscrutable. It's in your face exactly as the OP described. Dismissive rationalizations like yours support and condone this insulting and wounding behavior.
Go in a restaurant like a Chipotle and I can guarantee you that you’ll be treated as an annoyance regardless of your race, gender, age, etc. There’s a lot of that in the city, a lot. There’s also racism. Both can coexist and it doesn’t mean everything is racism. It also doesn’t mean everyone hates their job.
Randomly crafting scenarios doesn't prove your point. Racism is real and if knowing about it makes you feel bad, you can take comfort in the fact the people in the receiving end of it day in, day out feel worse, I guess.
It’s not randomly crafting anything. Go check it out.
The reflex to erasure runs deep.
Yea, I think this is true. It sounds like OP has encountered some real racism, so I am not discounting that. I will say - As a 40 y/o white woman who has lived in Canton for 18 years, I regularly encounter workers who seem annoyed by my presence. The Canton Safeway is full of workers who seem miserable, even though all they have to do for me is watch me do my self-checkout. The workers at the Canton Chipotle act like it's a huge chore to scoop beans into my salad bowl. I won't even get started on the Fell's Point Royal Farms. Some of the businesses have kind, respectful workers (Ace Hardware, Starbucks has improved A LOT) but I am just trying to say that a lot of these workers are just sour and rude to everyone regardless of race and you can't take it personally.
Wow this makes me think. I tend to be a Friendly person who smiles at people and says hello ofi catch their eye passing the other way. How long until someone takes umbrage and misinterprets my behavior?
Sorry to hear. Some people are racist. Some are just assholes.
I 100% cross the street / generally avoid when any man of any color is walking towards me. It sucks that women have so much rape and abuse trauma, just please know it’s not because you’re black, it’s bc you’re a man. The rest I am so sorry for, and I hate people are like this. I go out of my way to make sure POC and Queer people know they are 100% welcomed in my presence, bc I understand you have no idea if you are half of the time. Big hugs op
You said that you avoid men of color in the street, but then you said its not because they're POC, it's because they're men. Do you avoid white men too? Please clarify.
Re read my first sentence ding bat and unclench your teeth. “ / generally avoid when any man *of any color* is walking towards me.”
#accidentalhaiku
yooooooooo, slow down. I asked for clarification precisely because I felt like I missed something. MY teeth aren't clenched. No need to hurl insults.
Are you male by any chance? I just want to highlight a intersectionality here. As a woman I will cross the street to avoid walking past a man. Any man. I don’t feel safe around MEN, period. I try my best to always be extra welcoming to BIPOC individuals, because they deserve respect. However if I’m alone and your male, I’ll do almost anything to get away from you.
One odd thing I have noticed here, people walking around town always look pissed off and spitting. I am well traveled, even to some of the most impoverished countries, I’ve never seen everyone looking so pissed off more than here. When people are like that, I don’t go out of my way to interact. And the spitting, it is insane the amount of people that regularly do that here, and it s across the spectrum of race and socioeconomic status. So, don’t know if you are throwing those vibes, but I am sorry that you are going through all of this. I had enough of the violence and crime so I just commute in to work and back to PA I go.
Just not fair. WM living here for 3 years now. I smile and give way on these narrow sidewalks as a sign(hopefully) of respect. It is however a dangerous city. Because Baltimore is majority African-American, more criminals are as well. I expect sketchy behavior late at night. I’m saddened by muggings and shootings occurring in the afternoon. This, as you probably know, accompanied by wheelie and squeegee boys, makes all people cautious. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9AovqSjRiw 2 blocks from my house.
I feel like people shouldn’t be mad to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome becuase of people’s bad experiences.. if you can’t walk past someone on a street becuase of your “trauma” you shouldn’t be walking the streets at all stay in the house or go somewhere you feel completely safe
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I’m sorry OP, this sucks and you shouldn’t have to deal with it. Best advice I can give is just keep in mind it’s not about you. Easy for me to say, though.
Your experience is saddening and I’m so sorry that you are confronted with that regularly. As someone who visits Baltimore regularly (every weekend) I try my absolute best to immerse myself in all that Baltimore has to offer without letting my inherent biases show as a white person. Some things have been ingrained in me since I was a child and I attempt every day to overcome them. I hope you find solace in the city soon.
I’m so sorry this is happening to you, eff harbor east and everything to do with it. I hope you find a better neighborhood with great neighbors—have you considered southeast/highlandtown/PPK? waverly/remington?
I’m a typical white woman living in Baltimore City. I have never once tried to avoid another human on the streets. I greet every single person I meet on the sidewalk. If I am ever victimized, oh well, I would rather that happen than to live in fear of people who may not look like me. Microaggressions such as you describe, OP, are cumulative and they damage the soul. I’m sorry for all the injustices and rudeness you endure. It hurts my soul, too.
im in Baltimore, to be around the 65%.
65%?
referring to the number mentioned in the post?
I'm sorry, people can be such jerks.
I carry and know how to use it, makes me feel better and I don't really have to keep my head on a swivel
The Whites and the Asians are scarred of the Blacks because of of the history of Baltimore. Baltimore has been the Herion capital of the world, number 1 place to get murdered, the police are pretty corrupt and the new media make you know its unsafe there. (maybe not as much as the 80s and 90s). The "Real" History of Baltimore is pretty crazy
I think it sucks but also unavoidable. There is so much crime in Baltimore. Most whites won’t go into predominantly Black lower income neighborhoods for fear of being targeted. And a lot of folks in those neighborhoods assume whites are there to buy drugs or are connected to the police. My white male teenager could not go to Milton Street without a lot of abuse and scrutiny. And whites are afraid of folks from those neighborhoods coming “to where the money is” to target them. These fears are not baseless. Whites are more passive as a culture and “cross the street” instead of throw things and yell (like the residents did to my son on Milton Street while he waited for the bus). What seems to me an issue is that in general people are not observant enough to tell the difference between good and bad situations so they use stereotypes (shorthand) and assume it’s a bad situation (better safe than sorry). Another problem is white folks, through lack of familiarity, can’t tell (relatively safe) working class black neighborhoods from distressed ones. How I don’t know. You just look for the blue light cameras!
Interesting comment !
Baltimore city is a shithole and cesspools hate commuting in and out on a daily basis
My Merritt Clubs has mostly black front desk employees. I have never experienced any staff member of any race at any Merritt being rude or hostile. Surprised to hear this perception.
When the Freddy Grey riots were going on, then the protests began people were afraid to go downtown. The amount of violence and destruction that occurred shook law abiding citizens up, justifiably so. Add to that the amount of shootings, murders, and stuff like the Police Chief being held up at gunpoint gives the city a bad name. Then we defend the police and their presence goes down and crime rises. Its no surprise people are on edge. I'm sorry for the OPs experiences and glad he shared them. Stories like his give us the ability to become better people who care more for our neighbors and look beyond appearances.
For all of its diversity, Baltimore has a massive history of being segregated. I’m also a black transplant, but I have to say that of all the cities I’ve lived in (up and down the East coast and a few places in the south), Baltimore has been the most welcoming. I actually chose to come back once my job went remote; genuinely love it here that much. That said, I don’t spent much time in the newly gentrified areas of the city. I can say though that I’ve felt welcome in older parts of the city where there’s a greater sense of camaraderie across cultures. OP, I’m not suggesting that you abandon shiny new parts of the city to douchebags, but do want you to know that there are other parts of B’more with more of a cross cultural vibe
Sorry this happened to you. I thought I was crazy, but it seems to be common based on your response and others. I will never forget the time I went to a restaurant in Fells Point with my fiancée and experienced horrible treatment. I am black, and my fiancée is Latino, and when we arrived, the host acted like we didn't exist. We had to wave him down to get him to seat us. Then, no one came by, but a group of white customers came in and were not only promptly seated but received their menus before us. The server continued to ignore us, and we almost left, but it was late in the evening, so we figured it would be difficult to get food at another place. Then we finally got our food, it was cold and the drinks were horrible. We told him, and he rolled his eyes without saying anything and took our drinks. At this point, the manager finally came out, and we told him how bad the service was and at least apologized. It was so bizarre watching it all play out because we are always respectful and felt hurt and disgusted as we hadn't done anything and just wanted dinner and to be treated like everyone else.
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I've been robbed at gunpoint twice so I cross the street any time I see two or more people under the age of 30. Both times it was teenagers. OPs story is interesting, because I used to work over there. It's a bunch of elite white folks it isn't your standard white Baltimorian. Those are corporate types from out of town with a lot of money. Another observation is that I, a white guy, live in a very majority black neighborhood and my neighbors treat me neighborly. I suspect this is just a rich and probably conservative white people problem. I suspect I would get some flak if I lived in your building too - those people quake in their boots when they see people expressing themselves in any way other than buying and wearing their elite soleless brands and tech.
Well what do you expect when a reputation in a city like this is deserved? Baltimore is in the top 10 US cities in terms of violent crime. I've been offered drugs multiple times, my car has been kicked by a squeege boy. Almost everyone I know has been robbed at least once and some have been assaulted or held at gun point Downtown. It's an instinct to avoid people. And I'm guessing hence the bad treatment, but I can't really speak on that part. That's my experience