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Melech E. M. Thomas:[br]The color that is inflicting trauma on

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people of color in urban neighborhoods

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is not white, necessarily and[br]it's not black ... it's blue

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so you can't expect for you to slap[br]people around the face politically,

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socially, economically and expect us[br]to sing "God Bless America"

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Title: "A Young Leader in Baltimore"

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It's kind of surreal. I don't even[br]recognise where I'm standing.

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I mean, I used to, when I was working,[br]I would come here and get snacks and stuff

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and now, you know, we're walking[br]through ... What's up bro?

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>> Crazy

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THOMAS: We're walking through a mess ...[br]It's crazy right.

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SPEAKER: Baltimore, what's happening[br]right now is our fault.

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THOMAS: I identify with that rage.[br]I may check it in a different way but

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if you were to ask the Melech Thomas from[br]2004, 2005 - it might have been different,

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I might have been out there on the streets.

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What's up man?[br]So good to see you Doc.

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How long you been out it standing[br]in front of the college?

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>> I got it here like two hours ago[br]THOMAS: Oh ... for real!

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That's cool man.

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[CROWD CHANT]

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THOMAS: We love Baltimore.[br]We want peace.

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One of the beauties of Baltimore City[br]is that Baltimore has had a lot of pastors

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and a lot of leaders who have been leading[br]with power and integrity for some years.

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SPEAKER: We need a miracle tonight and[br]because you are a miracle ...

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THOMAS: My hope is that we shift the[br]energy of these young sisters and brothers.

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I mean, these young people can[br]change the city

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even without the major pastors,[br]even without the major politicians

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these young persons can go[br]into their own neighborhoods

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with that same mind of strategy.

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>> Call me in the name of Jesus, I just[br]want to uplift these two men to you father

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THOMAS: I've just been trying[br]to do what I can

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even outside of the tangible[br]things to help restore hope;

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We started making sandwiches because[br]there're some kids in the

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Baltimore City Public School system[br]that the only meal they get

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is the meal that they get in school.

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- No problem, you got your sandwich?

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I just want us to continue[br]to focus on the larger picture

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because I think all of this noise[br]and all of this drama

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makes for good TV but the central issue[br]is the mistreatment of African people.

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CROWD: I love Baltimore, we want peace.[br]THOMAS: Wow!

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CROWD CHANTS:[br]We love Baltimore; we want peace