OWNING OUR OPPORTUNITY: REFLECTIONS FROM A TALK WITH DR. RASHEEM, DIRECTOR & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF THE BALTIMORE LEGACY PROJECT
MEET THE AUTHOR
Justice Georgie, Wide Angle Social Media Intern, is a graduate of Morgan State University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Strategic Communication. Hailing from Baltimore, he is a journalist deeply committed to sharing the stories of his community. In the summer of 2024, Justice interned as a multimedia journalist with ABC 24 in Memphis, Tennessee. Currently, he is a social media intern at Wide Angle Youth Media. In May 2023, he was recognized as the social media specialist for Morgan State University’s Residence Life & Housing. Growing up, Justice was inspired by WEAA 88.9 FM, which fueled his passion for media. He also completed an internship as a student associate producer for the award-winning radio show *Today With Dr. Kaye*. Justice is eager to make a meaningful impact in television, dedicated to encouraging youth to think critically and advocate for their community.
There are thousands of stories unfolding every day in the city of Baltimore. We are no strangers to the stigma that lives against Baltimore’s culture and history. But there are also thousands of inspirational stories that make this city an opportunity goldmine.
Wide Angle’s Owning Our Opportunity blog series is a platform to honor the trailblazers, the unsung heroes, and the compelling tales that highlight Baltimore's rich diversity.
Being born and raised in Baltimore, I have a lot of love for where I come from. This City means so much to me and to so many others. Growing up here, I understood that there was an immense number of stereotypes and prejudices the whole world has had about Baltimore for many years.
When I was introduced to Dr. Rasheem, I was amazed as she explained the purpose of the Baltimore Legacy Project, which is to uplift the historic culture of Baltimore. This project is a documentary series that will feature community leaders, residents, politicians, and everyday citizens who have been a part of the rich history of Baltimore. The series will give insight into key periods in Baltimore dating back to 1950 up until last year, 2024. “The Baltimore Legacy Project is a project that focuses on unearthing the rich history and culture of Baltimore that is compiled in about 7 to 9 different documentary films. So there is Baltimore Black intellectual history and there's also Baltimore Movement history,” Dr. Rasheem shared. As a Baltimore native myself, I didn’t know the history of this small city. I can even confirm if I ask either one of my peers, they would also say they know little about how great Charm City is. When you look at the news, there is such a negative perception that overshadows all of what Baltimore has to offer. That is why I resonate with The Baltimore Legacy project and Dr. Rasheem’s mission to uplift the rich history most of the younger generation is unaware of.
I've been mentioning Dr. Rasheem, but it’s time to properly introduce her. I’m taking this time to give her her most deserved flowers. Dr. Rasheem is an independent scholar and social scientist who has spent her life's work uncovering the truths and mysteries of all things related to culture, gender, and race. She is a professor at the illustrious Morgan State University. Not to mention, Dr. Rasheem is the Director and Executive Producer of The Baltimore Legacy Project. This film is a powerful first installment of the documentary series, starting with the uprising in Baltimore from the events that occurred in 2015. This passage is about my reflection from my conversation with Dr. Rasheem, who talks about historical events that happened that shaped the community of Baltimore today.
Justice interviewing Dr. Rasheem.
They Not Like Us
There is a quote from the docu-series Dr. Rasheem pointed out, “You're not allowed to speak without investigation.” She explained, “It's like, you can't have a say in this without having no knowledge of us.” That quote sparked a deep reflection within myself about the Freddie Gray uprising 10 years ago. I vividly remember during that time being 15, and a couple of my friends said they were going to Mondawmin Mall to tear something up. Being afraid of the wrath of my mother, I opted out of any juvenile shenanigans. Believe me when I say my jaw dropped after seeing the city of Baltimore under fire. Or at least that is how the media depicted the total aftermath of the uprisings. When I expressed my disappointment, Dr. Rasheem had a different perspective on the outcome. What I saw as a kid was that my community was completely divided.
Through her eyes, the City of Baltimore joined hands in the rebuilding of homes, stores, neighborhoods, and families. “They encountered the fruit of Islam working with the leader of the Christian church, working with the Crips and Bloods, working with the head of the youth organizations, working with the Masonic Lodge, working with Morgan State University, working with this school. All of this speaking in chorus. We got this. We got our children. We love our children,” Dr. Rasheem explained. While the media was trying to paint Baltimore ugly, all of us chipped in to make this city a better place. They not like us because they aren’t. I got so inspired by hearing Dr. Rasheem talking about her film you would have thought she was born and raised here.
Your City Equals Your Legacy
I have always been proud of where I come from, the good, bad, and ugly. Unfortunately, our homicides overshadow the rich history of Baltimore. If I ask anyone 25 or younger what Baltimore is known for, they will say ‘The Wire.’ Some might even say they don't know. I'm going to be real with you. I would say the same thing. But, hearing Dr. Rasheem express her love for the history here that I, as a native, didn't even know we had was sad. “This city is part of your legacy. Love it, cherish it. Don't let no one take it away from you. Stay connected with history. Connect with an elder. And as people come in to document and collect data and get research and do films and that sort of thing, it should be a Baltimore policy of nothing about us without us.”
It was such a gift hearing her wisdom about everything we need to do to continue to keep our stories alive and well. This is how you can erase a group of people by stripping away their identity. I'm very much looking forward to watching The Baltimore Legacy Project docu-series because it speaks about Baltimore's history for over 50 years. I am not satisfied with being ignorant when it comes to telling the legacy of my home and where I come from.
The Hidden Positive Reflections
Before our interview wrapped up, I asked Dr. Rasheem who stood out from The Baltimore Legacy Project docu-series. She opened up about a gentleman named Jamal Jones, co-founder of the Baltimore Algebra Project. During the uprising for Freddie Gray's death, he took it upon himself to look out for any kids who needed help. Dr. Rasheem explained, “He was in his early 20s. During that time, he was also marshaling, making sure that people were safe during a lot of the uprising. He had a math site at Douglass High School when all of that popped off. He went down on Monday to try to protect his students.” Jamal's story stood out not only to Dr. Rasheem but also to me, a Baltimore native who was a kid in middle school 10 years ago. Although I might not have joined the uprising, my friends, my family, my brother, and I were affected. We all could have benefited from having someone like Mr. Jones to go above and beyond for the youth in the city, protecting them from harm's way. These are the stories that I believe were missing from the media. This is exactly why Dr. Rasheem and her team made it perfectly clear to include all stories and perspectives from what happened those days from April 5th - May 3, 2015.
Through the Baltimore Legacy Project, Dr. Rasheem will captivate her audience with pure storytelling. Her message is loud and clear, “History isn’t a reference, it’s a resource.” Everybody has a story and Baltimore has our own story to tell. You can watch the world premiere of this amazing docu-series in Baltimore at the Senator Theatre on April 24 at 7 p.m. After watching this film you will have to ask yourself, what will you do with this information now?