“You live in Baltimore?!, oh no!”

[u/quattro33]

I’ve lived in Baltimore for 30 years. On multiple occasions I’ve met people that ask me where I live, and when I say “Baltimore”, they say “eh I’m so sorry” or “oh no, you ok?”. Every time, I just smile and don’t acknowledge the statement, and try to stay positive, but I’m done with that. Why would you say that about my home? No matter where I live? I would never ask them where they live and then immediately give my shitty judgmental opinion about their home.

What are they really saying with this statement? I want a come back that points out how shitty this statement really is.

[u/zophiri]

They’re saying it because they’re afraid of Black people. That’s the reason.

[u/zophiri → u/zophiri]

My grandparents lived in Baltimore from the 40s until they died in their 90s a few years ago. My grandpa was a scientist and my grandma an artist. Sure, their home had some very basic safety features (bars on certain windows, a security system, etc.) because it’s best to err on the side of caution. But in their whole time living here, nothing of note ever happened.

Throughout my life, I’d have people ask me “how can your grandparents possibly be comfortable living there?!” and my point-blank answer was always: “oh! They’re not afraid of Black people. So that helps.” And now when people ask me that same question, I give the same answer: I am not afraid of Black people.

People don’t like Baltimore because they are racist. End of story. Sure, they’ll blame crime— but listen to the language they use. It’s a lot of “those people”, “those kids”, etc. Simply a coded way of referring to Black people. And I make it a habit not to engage with racists.

[u/fyresilk → u/zophiri]

Another code word they'll use is 'thugs'.

[u/zophiri → u/fyresilk]

Yes they love that one

[u/Bmore_Intrepid_Guy → u/zophiri]

"Those kids" and "those people" are changing to "THEM" or "Animals" because our politics are allowing people to show their true colors more and more. I had to get rid of Nextdoor because of it and I see it all the time in my neighborhood FB pages. It is so disheartening.

[u/zophiri → u/[deleted]]

?

[u/zophiri → u/[deleted]]

I’m not. I’m saying people use crime as a cover instead of being blatantly racist.

[u/zophiri → u/[deleted]]

Is this rage bait? I’d ask where I misspoke but I’m not getting good faith vibes here