Photos and Story by Baynard Woods.
For the past few months I’ve lived down the street from the Baltimore School for the Arts. I always love walking down the street when school gets out. The streets fill up with kids. Some walk alone, with headphones. Others cluster in groups. Sometimes I see a couple furtively holding hands. Other times, one or two kids huddle, singing in the streets.
The other morning, I saw a big crowd out on front of the school. About twenty kids stood on all four sidewalks at the corner of Cathedral and Madison with signs that read “Stop Killing Start Teaching,” “Speak Out Against Budget Cuts,” “Without Teachers How Would We Learn?” “Teacher’s Rights,” “Speak Out Against Budget Cuts,” and “Honk For Teachers.”
It was a rather brilliant strategy. It was a warm morning at a busy intersection and windows were down. The students screamed and yelled like only the very young can and instructed drivers to honk for education. They honked. Horns ripped through the morning air and told those still inside the school what was going on. They were going to be punished and yet a majority of the signs spoke out for teachers.
Photos and Story by Baynard Woods.
“We understand there are repercussions,”Kasean Reeves said. “We’ve seen a lot of changes. We used to have a voice. It used to be more family oriented. Now it feels more like a regular school.”
“We are the future. If we let this happen, then we will have no more voice,” said another student (they crowded in, peppering me with comments, some went unattributed).
“For BSA, we lost three teachers and $200,000-”
That is a big deal within the BSA community. But the students knew it was more.
“This is bigger than us. It’s about everybody else.”
“Being artists, we speak out for everyone,” said Alexander Smothers.
“School is in session—so we decided to come out,” said Kasean Reaves.
“This is the U.S. We’re supposed to be able to speak our minds. We’re supposed to be spreading Democracy. But how can you have democracy without education,” said Berit Beck a tenth grade harpist.
Photos and Story by Baynard Woods.
A Baltimore city police car pulled up to the curb, causing everyone to wonder if they could still speak their minds. The kids gathered around as the squad car door swung open. “You can’t be in the street, or block the sidewalk” Lt. Jeffrey Jocuns said. “I’m not going to take away your first amendment rights. You can be here. You just have to be safe.”
The Lt. got back in his car to a chorus of cheers and thank yous. A rush of cars lurched up to the light. “Knowledge is Power” one kid shouted.
“Knowledge is everything,” replied another.
Horns honked; the kids screamed and waved their signs.
“We’re protesting the budget cuts” said Deandre Holly, 18. “Because even if we graduate, we have to care about the younger generation.”
These kids were protesting, but they were extraordinarily optimistic. They were angry but they were not cynical. They showed organization, passion, and principle. I don’t much believe in hope, but I am happy these kids are in the neighborhood. I’m happy they’re in the city… and in the world.
The Baltimore School for the Arts had not returned my messages by the time this story went to press. The rumor around the school is that many of the students were suspended or expelled. When I find out their fate, I will provide an update.
