I think your idea of a journalist group is a good one – I’d like to expand it to anyone who is passionate enough about revitalization to put thoughts and potential solutions into writing. The simple act of getting more people to read and record these thoughts is worthwhile – as raising the awareness of difference, planning, and poverty is the first step in alleviating the actual problems. Additionally, when someone commits to write about a place, they commit to look critically at the subject, thus connecting all of us more deeply with that we recognize as flawed, perfect, or able to be improved.

Whenever I hear ‘shoveling dirt out of one hole and into another,’ I think about knocking down public housing and redistributing the residents: thereby deconcetrating poverty, but never actually changing anything fundamental. I do not equate inspiring community leaders to this type of fabricated problem solving, but perhaps more to running in circles. Inspiring more people to ‘want’ to do something and look to others for leadership, but never actually taking action, just perpetuates the talk and bolsters sentiment, but lacks that next step. You’re right- by doing this, the landscape won’t change. I argue though that the change isn’t just about the landscape, but acceptance becomes a quantifiable variable of change – reframing the perception of a place which has always ‘looked’ scary, but, in fact, is just different.

As far as harvesting new energy is concerned- I can smile and tell you many of us are most definitely working on it. After an energizing TedXBaltimore two weeks ago, there’s an event scheduled next week called CreateBaltimore (www.createbaltimore.org). Instead of simply energizing people to talk and exchange ideas, we’re adding an action element – so people can start working together to execute the energy you can hear, but the city can’t necessarily see.

One of the greatest changes as of late, in both thinking and practice, has to do with the ReThink. The disciplined and seasoned professionals beginning to challenge their thoughts and actions as inspired by people in different professions and from different backgrounds (academically, professionally, personally). I find this energy uplifting, By breaking out of traditional pathways, practices becomes more relateable for a more diverse audience, thus attracting a greater following.

So yes, there are groups in play, new people attending everyday and at every meeting. The next step is to harvest this energy and tie it into the policymakers – a challenge in itself. That said, people are strong, resilient, and loud. As we bring them together, we begin to build the strength that can ultimately make a difference. Perhaps instead of moving dirt from hole to hole or chasing our own tail around, we’re actually moving forward – and of not gaining speed, most definitely gaining more people who are willing to rethink and act.

Thoughts always welcome- thank you again for your words,
Lindsey