“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead

From 1997 until 2006, I lived near Baltimore, was often in the city and have many friends who live and work there. Some are connected to the few remaining churches in the inner-city, including Sand Town and Pig Town in western Baltimore, where most of the recent riots took place.

I saw things there that would break anyone’s heart. Through relationships with the people who have always lived there, I came to know first-hand the problems of urban decline and racism. I will never forget those folks or what they taught me. They inspire my work, even today.

One family that I often stayed with chose to move to Baltimore’s inner city in the ’60s as young urban pioneers, when others were fleeing, raising their multi-racial family there. They never left.

And so I wish to ask those who are making assumptions or judgments about what has been happening lately in Baltimore and other urban centers: Do you have first-hand experiences living and working in western Baltimore, or in similar cities on which to base your thoughts?

If not, imagine, for a moment, that you live in a dilapidated 15-foot-wide row house with two other adults and several children; in an area where more houses are boarded up in your neighborhood than are habitable; where drugs run rampant on the streets; where playgrounds or parks (if there are any) are full of broken glass and discarded needles; where there are no stores, except maybe a CVS and liquor store.

Or, imagine that you live in an apartment building with a huge barking dog upstairs, a drug dealer next door, no lights in the stairwells, and hallways that smell of urine.

Since school funding is based on property taxes (which are low to non-existent), it means the local schools struggle mightily to provide an education. And even if you do finish school, there are few jobs to be had anywhere nearby.

Put yourself in a place where you are frightened most of the time, and if you call the police for help they take forever to come, or don’t show up at all. The streets are not cleaned, trash is often not picked up, mail is not dependable.

One radio commentator recently likened such places to South Africa during apartheid. I have seen similar living situations here, but if you think Lewiston has problems, multiply our B-Street area by a factor of at least 100.

Yes indeed, there is more to the events in Baltimore than meets the eye. Much more.

It is very complicated, but it has little to do simply with roving gangs and opportunistic people rioting for rioting sake. Senseless rioting did take place, but it was driven by a minority of people who, when given a chance, took advantage of a situation for their own personal gain (something that Leonard Pitts noted in a column back in April, similar to what many young white college students do after their team wins a championship).

So the deeper question about what set up the situation in Baltimore, informed by my experiences is: Why, in the most prosperous country the world has ever seen, does such a situation even exist?

The only surprise for some of us is that these explosions didn’t happen sooner. People should open their eyes to the reality — decades of inequality, abandonment, discrimination and generational poverty. Look at a justice system that imprisons more people per capita than any other nation on Earth, the majority of whom are people of color.

Added to that is the disinvestment by all levels of government, by business and, yes, by many churches, has left inner city cores even grimmer than they were 20 years ago. It sets up a never-ending situation of deep hopelessness and massive frustration. When pushed into a corner, with no way out, what are the alternatives, especially for young black men?

For some, prison would be better than life on the streets.

Amidst all the degradation, there are incredible pockets of goodwill. Many people are doing many small things to make life better, against all odds. I can tell you incredible stories about western Baltimore: New Song Urban Ministries in Sand Town; St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Carey Street; Habitat for Humanity houses built by churches there… .

Such remarkable work happens here, too, in Lewiston. The places I encounter it here are through Trinity Church (my parish), The Center for Wisdom’s Women (my work), the Nutrition Center of Maine and Lots to Gardens, Tree Street Youth and the Neighborhood Housing League.

So please, as you listen to the news, and before rushing to conclusions or criticism, put yourself in the shoes of people who live in Baltimore’s west side, in Ferguson or any other ghetto area, including ours.

Better yet, learn about the realities in our own Twin Cities. Visit Pine Street and get to know the people who live there and on the other “tree streets.” Then come and work together for positive changes.

Instead of pontificating on a scenario of doom and gloom, and warning of conspiracies to end our democratic republic as we know it, I would rather consider the roots of the situation and be part of healing, constructive and compassionate solutions.

I invite others to join me. We can all make a difference.

Klara Tammany is an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church and its urban ministries. She works as the executive director of The Center for Wisdom’s Women. For nine years she was the missioner for education and formation for the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland and is the author of “Living Water: Baptism as a Way of Life.” She lives in Auburn.