Baltimore - Nina Simone

Baltimore through my lens around 1969. The photos of the police on E. Chase Street were taken the day after MLK's assassination. They were sent to protect us from us. Of course this was long before the riverfront revitilization. That is why you see a few pictures of drunks and beggars. don't think that exists downtown anymore.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Nina
• Simone
• Baltimore
• 1969

[tlwbm2010]

Thank you for your comments. When I was growing up in the city in the early 60s Balltimore was a magical town for me. We had great black schools: Dunbar was a perrenial baketball powerhouse; Douglass was a great academic school (the Oakland Raiders football star Raymond Chester went to Douglass a year ahead of me - he actually taught me how to high jump when I was on the JV track team and he was on the varsity); Carver was a great Vo-tech school. I miss it, and that time, still.

[tlwbm2010]

Thanks for your comments. I was forced to leave B'more, thanks to the U.S. Army draft board, in 1971. I have never lived there again, though returning often, but it has never left my mind. Thanks again.

[tlwbm2010]

Yes. I grew up in East Baltimore. Though it was rough, there was still a sense of community. I could walk almost anywhere in the West side with out fearing for my life (maybe a little fight now and then). now, I would not go anywhere near Biddle and Greenmount, or Preston and Greenemount. The last time I was home I wnet to the 400 block of East Biddle. It was ll boarded up on both sides. What a loss. I still love the city.

[tubeiyi]

Thank you for Nina and your photographs, the BALTIMORE in 1969. I was there in 69 for a few years, left, and returned in the mid 80's. I have been working on a 12 year personal project "R.I.P. BALTIMORE" and have part of it here.

socialdocumentary (dot) net/exhibit/peter_barry/301

[tlwbm2010]

@tubeiyi Thanks. I'll check out your project.

[LosEndos37]

incredible shots.

[tlwbm2010]

@LosEndos37 Thank you.

[porchiapridgen]

this had me tearing the hell up

[cmccray91]

im two months shy of being 21 and lived in baltimore my whole life and my parents and other family members who are in the late 50's early 60's tell me all the time how great the city used to be it was hard but if nina could sing about baltimore today the song would just tell the citizens just to abandon the city lol but great intrerpretaions even though i wasnt born then this video made me feel apart of the time

[ursusdave]

Solid photography, great editing, heavy flow of some shared memories. In those days - the 1960s - I walked some of the sidewalks seen, shopped in some of the places, sat on that park bench, maybe saw the same bums (who's shattered lives are much more gut kicking today to the aged me - and probably you), and I also suffered living along the sidelines to that damned war, too. Video that solidly shows what the song tells.

[LoyalRaiderFan]

what fantastic pictures! I grew up in and around Baltimore, moved away and am back now. I have always loved the city despite its bumps and bruises...and a great soulful song.

[sk321tm]

great photos! love this video, thank you for making it.

[TalisAden]

Thank you for the photos - they are a bittersweet reminder of what once was.

[femmecorbeau]

we are the 99%. ty, randy newman and nina simone. xoxoxoox