Introduction
Baltimore City is one of the first cities in the United States of America whose contribution to social and political as well as economic and religious aspects is immense. The Baltimoreans have seemingly overcome a lot of insurmountable challenges through their leadership by severally reinventing the City. Baltimoreans have stood up individually or collectively to reinvent the course of several sectors not only in the region but also in the world, for example, the Caribbean, Europe, and South America. It has seen its shrewd business people taking advantage of economic and mercantile opportunities to make a fortune and grow the economy of the City. The philanthropists have also come contributed to helping their fellow citizens, and people of the world improve not only their social but also economic conditions. The civic-minded people of Baltimore have assisted in developing governing structures and institutions. It is also a place that saw the size and achievements of African Americans to grow and expand. Therefore, this paper examines the history of Baltimore, its current demographic characteristics, and residential racial inequality, health disparities.
The history of Baltimore
Millions of people came up with an idea of creating Baltimore City four centuries ago. In most cases, some decisions which can be categorized as either global, national, or local in nature have challenged the very existence of Baltimore City. It is also important to note that decisions tend to create a lot of opportunities for the City as far as growing, transformation and success is concerned. This eternal reality of decision-making has witnessed so many people of Baltimore steer their City successfully through social upheavals, political tribulations, economic busts and booms, and global turmoil as well as other extraordinary effects brought about by technological advancement.
In the entire history of the people of Baltimore, they have seemingly overcome a lot of unsurmountable challenges through their leadership by severally reinventing the City. For instance, shrewd business people have taken advantage of economic and mercantile opportunities to make a fortune and grow the Baltimorean economy. On the other hand, the philanthropists have come in handy in helping their fellow citizens to improve not only their social but also economic conditions. Similarly, the civic-minded individuals in the City have not only organized but also reorganized the local leadership and government as well as the civic institutions on the City.
Baltimore rose from a sleepy town that was characterized by tobacco trade to rival other cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. It was at this time when Dr. John Stevenson, a prominent Baltimore merchant, and physician, started shipping flour to Ireland. This venture was considered insignificant at the beginning, but the tremendous achievement of that trade opened many Baltimorean’s eyes. As a consequence, many of them joined the business, and it opened up the City for further opportunities and thus traded. The Baltimorean economy was then restricted based on flour. For instance, they transformed into roads the trails heading west. The City erected a lot of flour mills, and a lot of structures were brought up by the merchants. The infrastructure was also developed to tap into the benefits of agriculture. At this time, the Baltimorean ships were sailing all through Europe, South America, and the Caribbean.
It is also important to note that the stubbornness and luck of the people of Baltimore played a significant role in reinventing the world. For instance, they started to tap into nature and use steam for navigation. Its rail industry sparked a lot of technological advancements not only in the region but also in Europe. For instance, the first cast-iron bridge was developed by Wendel Bollman. It also played a significant role in not only the size but also the achievements of the African American community. For instance, in the 1820s, the black population was many in numbers in Baltimore as compared to any other place in the United States whether free or slave. During the eruption of the civil war, 26,000 free black people, as well as 2,000 slaves, were living in Baltimore City. Slaves used to rent their services and skills in the City for wages prior to their emancipation.
Residential racial segregation on Baltimore
Baltimore is a city where residential patterns are based on race. The City has been under 105 years of racist practices and policies. The hyper-segregated neighborhoods of Baltimore have experienced realities that are radically different. Rendering to such realities and dynamics, the white neighborhoods have structured privileges and advantages as compared to structured disadvantages characterizing the Black neighborhoods. The civil unrest, health disparities and inequalities, crime, and racial inequality are the products of hyper-segregation in Baltimore.
For instance, the white residential neighborhoods have buses, which are Charm City Circulators that are free for all riders. On the other hand, the blacks in their disadvantaged neighborhoods use Maryland Transit Authority buses that the riders must pay. Also, the white advantaged neighborhoods had policies and practices in place, which led to the building of highways for downtown access. On the other hand, these policies and practices made sure that the highways were built over the disadvantaged black neighborhoods that led to displacement (Brown, 2016). The enterprise zone policy concentrated housing in the advantaged white neighborhood while there were very few houses funded houses that were located in the Black Butterfly. The policies also made sure that traditional banks are located in the advantages neighborhood as compared to the disadvantaged black neighborhood, which is characterized by pawnshops, payday lending facilities, and plagued with check cashing. According to Brown (2016), the policies also favored the white population as far as receiving great mortgage originations is concerned as compared to the disadvantaged black neighborhood where they are redlined from receiving proportionate numbers of mortgage originations.
The public schools in the white advantaged neighborhoods are well-resourced as well as adequately supplied by BCPS. On the other hand, public schools in the disadvantaged black region are characterized by low resources and many school closures. As far as the community benefits are concerned, the white advantaged neighborhood has CB districts that provide services, but the black area does not have community benefits districts (Brown, 2016).
Demographic overview of Baltimore
It is estimated that the population of Baltimore, Maryland, according to the recent census estimates of the United States, is 590, 479. It is important to note that Baltimore is the largest City in Maryland. The City is growing at a population growth rate of 1.01% annually, and since 2010, it has grown by -4.91%. The population density of the City is 7,295 people per square meter. Also, the median age of the Baltimoreans is 35.1 years, where 36.4 years is for females, and 33.9 years is for males. The estimates also reveal that there are 88.6 males in every 100 females in Baltimore city. Since the Baltimorean population was at the pick in the 1950s at 948,700, this is the first time the Baltimorean population has grown. More immigrants, as well as young professionals, have moved in downtown Baltimore and surrounding, thus improving its community (World Population Review, 2020).
The household income in Baltimore has increased to $64,100 from $45,900 since the new construction in the region has converted a lot of old commercial buildings into residential houses. Also, the number of families in the City has significantly increased. It is also important to note that the City has a significant population of homeless people, particularly the youth. According to the recent census report, Baltimore City has 0.03% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.26% Native Americans, 1.73% other race, 2.49% two or more races, 2.59% Asians, 30.45% white Americans, and 62.46% Black or African American. The City has struggled not only to attract but also to retain cities just like many other cities which are built on an outdated economy. However, the City is turning out to be popular and attractive to younger people than before. As a consequence, there are 486,481 adults in Baltimore out of which 80,846 are seniors. Also, the age dependency ratio is at 51.5 years, old age dependency ratio at 19.9 years, and child dependency ratio at 31.6 years. According to sex or gender ratio, 53.04% (326,009) are females and 46.96% (288,681) are males (World Population Review, 2020).
Health status in Baltimore
It is not possible to talk about the wellbeing and health of the people of Baltimore City without mentioning health inequality and systematic disparities using the inequality lens. The marginalization approach or Marxist perspective inspires this lens. This approach asserts the society is divided into classes, and the central theme in these approaches is the unequal distribution of power and resources. In this case, the white had more advantages based on their race. As a result, they had more resources, more social, economic, and political power as compared to the African Americans who were characteristically disadvantaged. It is important to note that even though the mortality rate has declined in Baltimore, it still has an age-adjusted mortality rate at 40% higher as compared to the rest of the state. Also, it ranks low as far as the critical health outcomes are concerned when compared to other Maryland jurisdictions.
This reality of health inequality and disparity is made worse by environmental, economic, political, and social obstacles. For instance, one in every three children in Baltimore lives below the poverty line set by the federal government. It is also important to note that more than 30% of households in Baltimore earn an income of less than $25,000 annually. Race income and poverty influence the health outcomes of people in Baltimore significantly. Biltmore has some of the best health care institutions in the country. However, because of institutionalized racism and discrimination, together with low income and poverty, very few people can use these facilities – those who can afford it. In most case is the white people who appear to have a lot of advantages like a stable income and also to be white. Health care alone cannot drive health. For instance, even though 97% of the cost of health care is spent on health care being delivered in the hospitals in the country, merely 10% of factors that influence life expectancy happens within the hospital corridors. In other words, the wellbeing and health of an individual are affected by where he works, where he lives, and how he plays on a daily basis.
It is difficult to discuss health in Baltimore without aspects of inclusion, equity, and race. The only way to address health inequalities and disparities is by first addressing the significant inequalities brought about by historical practices and policies of exclusion, poverty, and racism structural discrimination. As a consequence, every policy, practice, or activity related to health must be based in addressing health inequality and making sure that all residents of Baltimore city not only have a right to health but also to robust life. The relevant establishments should not shy away from the candid and difficult conversation regarding health inequality in Baltimore using the Marxist lens.
The health department, together with other departments, should work together to make sure that they do not just focus on the symptoms but address the root cause of the issues facing people of color in Baltimore. The local government should make sure that all policies are in line with the American constitution, where every member of the society is treated equally and fairly with discrimination based on gender, race, or socioeconomic status. There should also be strict policies and more stringent laws and penalties for those practicing discriminatory or exclusion practices of whatever nature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Baltimore City started from scratch. It took the confidence, courage, sacrifice, commitment, as well as invention strategies of men and women many years ago to shoot the City to glory. Despite the challenges that the Baltimoreans faced, they never gave up nor give in. Their stubbornness and luck made them conjure not just the region but also most parts of the world like South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Baltimore City is also a place where the African American population grew not just in numbers (size) but also in achievements. For instance, the African American population is the biggest ethnic community in Baltimore. However, despite their greatness in numbers, they have faced institutionalized and systematic exclusion and decimation that has made them play a second role to the white counterparts. Disparities and inequalities in health, housing, employment, and education, as well as socio-political aspects, have been the experiences of the citizens of Baltimore city for long time. However, addressing these issues will mean addressing their root – historical policies and practices of exclusion.
References
World Population Review (2020). Retrieved from: https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/baltimore-population/
Brown, L. (2016 June 28). The White L vs. the Black Butterfly. The Baltimore Sun. retrieved from: https://www.baltimoresun.com/citypaper/bcpnews-two-baltimores-the-white-l-vs-the-black-butterfly-20160628-htmlstory.html