OUR VOICES, UNMASKED A Collection of Writing and Artwork by Baltimore Youth during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Table of Contents CHAPTER I: SPRING 2020 Introduction by Tehle Ross March Comes in Like a Lion by Luvia Thomas Lion by Charlotte Malmin There Was Once a Time With No School by Thaddeus Hafner Stranded by Evelyn Williams Wake Me Up When This Is Over by Emma Quarantine-Inspired Haiku by Reagan Campbell Self-Portrait Collage by Zaylee Burnette When I Look Outside by Tanyia Sigler Desolate Donation by Jonathan Veale Look Out Ahead by Jonathan Veale Six by Charlotte Malmin Why Can’t We Be Free Like Birds in the Sky? by Hermione Henritze Fragility by Jonathan Veale Quarantine-Inspired Poem by Alice Bahr Three Quarantine Memes from Jannah Muhammad Aiara Manning, and Tia Thomas and Alicia Thomas If You're Like Me by Emily Taylor Wrapped Together by Elijah Furr
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CHAPTER II: SUMMER 2020 Introduction by Kaori Taylor
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I Ain’t Welcome Here No More by Ayodele Ayoola Portrait of Breonna Taylor by Charlotte Malmin Warmth by Angelica Brooks Self Portrait by Khaliah Deya Complexion by Rashad Holloway Tell Me America by Khalia A. Thomas Ongoing Mission by Tanyia Sigler Knees On Our Necks by Amaya Burke TBIB 2020 by Rashad Holloway Under the Beaming Sun by A'mirah Wallace This is My City by Terrell Foster
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CHAPTER III: FALL 2020 Introduction by Khira Moore
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Ode to My Computer by Sharon Vianney In My Room by Maiya Hall Don’t Give Up by Na’qwaun Whitaker To All Hope is Near by Tanyia Sigler From Baltimore to Bologna by Tehle Ross Dear World by Priya Matee Samaroo Breakfast by Kristiana Smith Untitled by Semajra Daily
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CHAPTER IV: WINTER 2021 Introduction by Shantika Bhat
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Empty Plate by Jordan Grant Do You Do That for Attention or Something? by Noelle Nelson Genetics of the City by Josie O’Neill The CHARM Report: Baltimore Students Respond to U.S. Capitol Riot, Impact on Mental Health by Shantika Bhat, Khira Moore, and Kristiana Smith Plague by Johan-Marc Miango It Is a Good Day Today by Tamatha Nguyen I Miss You by Mirian Luna Models by Kendra Bryant Insomnia by Terrell Foster Behind Jambly Avenue by Staz Majestic in Death by Jonathan Veale Quarantine Cat by Wyatt Lyions Broken Mirror by Tianna Hunt Snowmen by Lilah Cohen We Are All Stuck in a Room With no Light by Sheila G Untitled by Letrell Richardson Still Life of Fruit in a Bowl by Nathaniel King Untitled by Zakiyah Bullock
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CHAPTER V: SPRING 2021 Introduction by Elisabeth Paulk
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365 Days by Charlie Martin Paths by Jonathan Veale Bedroom Window by Evelyn Williams My Truth by Shawn Ware COVID-19 Dreams by Zoe Muher To Baltimore With Love by Ashley Earth Day Poems by Riverstones Classroom, Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School Lower Elementary Spring Flower Painting by Tessa The CHARM Report: Baltimore Youth and the COVID Vaccine by Shantika Bhat, Khira Moore, and Kristiana Smith Neighborhood Butterfly and Roses by Sharon Vianney
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Chapter I: Spring 2020 Spring 2020 marked the beginning of a huge wave of change in Baltimore, in the United States, and all across the world. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic led to mass school closures, and learning became fully virtual. We thought we might be home for two weeks, but the lockdown period proved to be much longer. The terms "quarantine," "lockdown," and "incubation period" became adopted into our vocabulary, and face masks became the newest fashion staple, by necessity. While many students celebrated the new opportunity to get a few extra hours of sleep and be able to binge-watch reality TV, others struggled in isolation. After a few weeks, one thing was made clear: we were in it for the long haul. To provide a space to amplify Baltimore students’ authentic thoughts and feelings during the initial lockdown period in Spring 2021, CHARM launched "This is Not a Snow Day," our first ever online publication. We received art, photography, and writing submissions from students all over the city who expressed how the pandemic had affected them. Our CHARM student ed itorial board meetings switched online, and, although we could not all be physically together to laugh and bounce around ideas with each other, we continued to work to expand CHARM to reach more Baltimore students.
~Tehle Ross, CHARM Editor
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March Comes in Like a Lion Luvia Thomas | Grade 12 The phrase "March Madness" is true, If the entire month had to be a color, it would probably be blue, Lives were changed like clothes in a dressing room floor, and were left sullen and emptier than before, Events canceled, planners fall to the floor, Everything was once open but is now a sea of closed doors, When family members pass away you cry dry tears from exhausted eyes, Wonder what sickness stuck them first, Find comfort in their memory and hope for lighter news, We watch the world from our windows and computers, Information lies within our hands, For March comes in like a lion, And leaves as gently as a lamb.
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Lion Charlotte Malmin | Grade 11
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There Was Once a Time With No School Thaddeus Hafner | Grade 5 There was once a time with no school Because the state made a rule Everyone was sick Not a pen made a click For there was not an open school
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Stranded Evelyn Williams | Grade 7 With our current situation That has spread across our nation. The day has become boring and gloomy The spaces in our houses have become very roomy. With all of the scrappiness, John Krasinski has provided some happiness. With all this happening and retired doctors on the sidelines They are now open fighting for us on the front lines. We are all becoming very hurried, While we also become scared and worried. While I'm all caught up in online school, The new virus is being quite cruel. We do what we can do and what we see fit This virus needs to make like a drum solo and beat it.
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