Diversity Shall Claim Us
I’m a big fan when it comes to the outdoors, especially when I travel. One of my favorite activities to do when I’m away is enjoy a bit of sightseeing, and what better way than with a walking tour. There are many types of tours – in and out of doors, in cities and in the country, but the best tours take place in cities because there is so much more to do.
You can eat and drink along the way, shop, see beautiful architecture and, my absolute favorite, people watching. It’s always interesting to see who is a native, and I’m pretty good at deciphering the tourist.
A few of my all time favorite cities to visit are San Francisco, Santa Fe, Phoenix, Austin, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Boston, New York and Chicago. I’ve participated in many types of tours throughout, but for me, Baltimore remains at the top of my list because of our rich history and diverse nature.
I can walk our city over and over again and never get bored because there is always something new to discover, and if perchance I find myself looking for something different I don’t have to travel too far out of the city limits (maybe just over the bay bridge or up 83) to find a new journey. Still, I am always eager to return, and when I do I find something new that peaks my curiosity.
Baltimore is known for its walking tours. You could spend the day just doing museums, or maybe visiting our eclectic neighborhoods, eating your way through each nook and cranny. (It’s the perfect activity, especially when paired with a refreshing adult beverage, or two).
Recently, I participated in a tour with a friend. We walked the Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage Trail. For those who don’t know, this new trail takes you on a journey back in time through West Baltimore’s historic African American neighborhoods. There is opportunity to learn, appreciate and ponder the lives of those amazing individuals who paved the way for great change and freedom.
With words and stories I was able to meet and connect with many great civil rights leaders and artists (musicians, painters and writers). These neighborhoods were filled with amazing art, culture and a vibe that is not to be overlooked. We were lucky enough to catch some of the festival activities celebrating the trail and the people.
I felt overwhelmed at the end of this journey. It was a roller-coaster ride of emotion. I was happy to have felt a connection with those spirits who’ve moved on, sad because they were told they weren’t good enough, happy once more because they didn’t listen and persevered, and again sad because today I saw too many lives in peril, not living up to individual potential, forgetting those who struggled so that the outcomes would improve for future generations.
As I walked with my friend (the two of us sharing this journey together), I was looking at his dark skin, and he looking at my pale skin, both searching each other’s face and listening to the other’s words. We found and kept the happiness that was meant to be for this day because as we have always known, it’s not about the color of your skin, but the color of your heart, which is determined by words and actions.
When all was said and done, we realized the ghosts of the past have allowed us to be friends. No one died in vain because we walk together – side by side, hand in hand with a voice of unity. Our message – black to white / white to black – is respect, love and freedom for all. How could any man look at another and think he was better, especially when we all dream of the same thing… Happiness! One-day diversity shall claim us all, and I hope we’ll be ready. – paerki
You can eat and drink along the way, shop, see beautiful architecture and, my absolute favorite, people watching. It’s always interesting to see who is a native, and I’m pretty good at deciphering the tourist.
A few of my all time favorite cities to visit are San Francisco, Santa Fe, Phoenix, Austin, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Boston, New York and Chicago. I’ve participated in many types of tours throughout, but for me, Baltimore remains at the top of my list because of our rich history and diverse nature.
I can walk our city over and over again and never get bored because there is always something new to discover, and if perchance I find myself looking for something different I don’t have to travel too far out of the city limits (maybe just over the bay bridge or up 83) to find a new journey. Still, I am always eager to return, and when I do I find something new that peaks my curiosity.Baltimore is known for its walking tours. You could spend the day just doing museums, or maybe visiting our eclectic neighborhoods, eating your way through each nook and cranny. (It’s the perfect activity, especially when paired with a refreshing adult beverage, or two).
Recently, I participated in a tour with a friend. We walked the Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage Trail. For those who don’t know, this new trail takes you on a journey back in time through West Baltimore’s historic African American neighborhoods. There is opportunity to learn, appreciate and ponder the lives of those amazing individuals who paved the way for great change and freedom.
With words and stories I was able to meet and connect with many great civil rights leaders and artists (musicians, painters and writers). These neighborhoods were filled with amazing art, culture and a vibe that is not to be overlooked. We were lucky enough to catch some of the festival activities celebrating the trail and the people.I felt overwhelmed at the end of this journey. It was a roller-coaster ride of emotion. I was happy to have felt a connection with those spirits who’ve moved on, sad because they were told they weren’t good enough, happy once more because they didn’t listen and persevered, and again sad because today I saw too many lives in peril, not living up to individual potential, forgetting those who struggled so that the outcomes would improve for future generations.
As I walked with my friend (the two of us sharing this journey together), I was looking at his dark skin, and he looking at my pale skin, both searching each other’s face and listening to the other’s words. We found and kept the happiness that was meant to be for this day because as we have always known, it’s not about the color of your skin, but the color of your heart, which is determined by words and actions.
When all was said and done, we realized the ghosts of the past have allowed us to be friends. No one died in vain because we walk together – side by side, hand in hand with a voice of unity. Our message – black to white / white to black – is respect, love and freedom for all. How could any man look at another and think he was better, especially when we all dream of the same thing… Happiness! One-day diversity shall claim us all, and I hope we’ll be ready. – paerki
