Just over a week ago, Baltimore was known for tenderly referring to a stranger as “hon,” showing them around the Charm City and perhaps interjecting some excitement about the hometown Baltimore Orioles. A team expected to compete for the wide-open AL East, a team that plays at beautiful Oriole Park at Camden Yards and in a city that has had its fair share of distress, but could still show anyone the wonders of a beautiful spring day on Pratt St.
READ: Camden Yards Currently Sits In Turmoil
That was just over a week ago and it feels like obsolete history. Baltimore is burning, and the city has officially spurned civility.
Gov. Hogan declares state of emergency in Maryland as protests grow violent. http://t.co/5kZRyIg4PI #BaltimoreRiots pic.twitter.com/Qjtc1gMo4K
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) April 27, 2015
Residents and store workers clean up after #BaltimoreRiots; schools are closed. http://t.co/hIlArATAiw (Getty photo) pic.twitter.com/q6QpCx1GxI — USA TODAY (@USATODAY) April 28, 2015
#BaltimoreRiots turned the city to chaos yesterday. Here’s a timeline of how it happened: http://t.co/6wYTlZNz8x pic.twitter.com/xXGc8DRMeb
— CNN International (@cnni) April 28, 2015
We all have opinions on the Baltimore Riots, so I won’t inundate you with mine. You can be for Freddie Gray‘s cause in myriad portrayals of outrage and you can be completely appalled by the actions of those who’ve resorted to violence in defense of these takes. But as this issue spins out of control, it’s up to those with a voice to use their pulpit with clarity and consideration.
That’s what this whole situation boils down to, who has the voice and who’s dying to be heard. Figuratively and literally. And it’s a situation that can only be resolved internally, locally and unfortunately politically. This is bigger than baseball and has nothing to do with baseball at the same time. The shelf life of civil unrest is variable in both intensity and consequences and often leads to necessary change — even if the path to reform is reckless.
READ: 10 #BaltimoreRiots Tweets That Prove Don’t Hate The Rioter, Hate The System
The shelf life of baseball is stalwart and the beautiful ballgame atmosphere of Baltimore will soon recalibrate. It’s not an ambience that can be forced and it’s not a climate made conducive by uncertainty. Camden Yards is a ballpark meant for enjoying America’s pastime and not a safe haven that just so happens to offer baseball.
Oriole Park is not home to the Orioles for now, because “home” is something you’d recognize. “Home” is a familiar surrounding and an atmosphere at ease. Until Charm City allows those two elements to once again intersect, the Orioles must turn away from the crossroads — not coming back until Baltimore returns.
Jerry Landry is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Jerry on Twitter at @Jerry2Landry, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.
