
Then on April 4, 1968, there was an injustice much like the death of Freddie Gray. Dr. King was assassinated. During the memorial there was peace and then the rage set in. Windows were broken, fires were started. Police and the national guard moved in. By the end six people had died, 700 were injured, 1000 small businesses were damaged or robbed and 5,800 people were arrested.
The uprising inspired Nina Simone to return after a four-year recording hiatus to release the 1978 album Baltimore.
For those who are unfamiliar with the song, Simone says,
The city is dying
And they don’t know why
And then…
Oh, Baltimore
Ain’t it hard just to live