>This is a choice by our lawmakers, not a coincidence. Our tax and infrastructure and zoning system...

This is very true and key to understanding why Baltimore looks and operates the way it does today. Racist public policy and historic disinvestment are real and still felt, but present-day policy choices of our elected leaders (city and state), specifically in regards to taxes, infrastructure, and zoning, exacerbate the impact of those harmful policies from decades ago. We'd be better off as a city if a critical mass of residents kept this idea front of mind and took lawmakers to task accordingly.