Grumbling is the first step to making Baltimore better

When Kipepeo, left, the 4-year-old reticulated giraffe arrived in Baltimore last Nov., it was not known to be pregnant. But she gave birth on March 27 to a healthy female calf, right, who has not been named. courtesy of maryland zoo

For those thinking about coming up with a name for the baby giraffe born last month at the Maryland Zoo, here’s our humble suggestion: Sina furaha. It translates from Swahili to English as “I am not happy.” And while we are reluctant to saddle any newborn with such a label, it just seems to capture the moment. And not just because its mother Kipi delivered a 6-foot-tall, 128-pound calf (thankfully a size not out of the norm for giraffes) but because we sense that the market on optimism has lately gone the way of stock prices and tariffs.

A recent survey tells the tale: A plurality of residents believe Baltimore and Baltimore County are headed in the wrong direction, according to a University of Maryland, Baltimore County, poll conducted the first week of April. Interestingly, the outlook was slightly worse in the county, but hey, that’s life in the suburbs. Distrust of government was high (65% said they can trust their local government “never” or “only some of the time” in the city with 32% saying “just about always” or “most of the time”) but the same held true in the county (with 60% and 37%, respectively). And the list of concerns was topped by poverty, crime and high energy bills.

None of this is especially surprising. These are all valid concerns, and the day people put their full faith and trust in the government is probably the day we’re all doomed. Skepticism is a good thing. Our chief concern is a lack of context. We don’t need to be cheerleaders for the political class, but we have to be able to recognize when smart choices are being made. Limiting the power of Baltimore County councilmembers to make zoning decisions in their districts? That’s a good idea. Investing adequately in city schools while seeking greater accountability for student outcomes? Also, the right choice — if a difficult one.

It’s also important to maintain a proper perspective. The region has issues, it also has assets. Take, for example, the new “Bold Moves” campaign sponsored by the Greater Baltimore Committee. The effort is meant to better promote what makes the Baltimore area special, not just institutions like Johns Hopkins University, the Port of Baltimore or Under Armour’s brightly lit global headquarters, but our fearlessness, history and compassion. There is serious talent and energy here. Too often, we take that for granted. We need to do a better job of selling it.

Does naming a new arrival of any species “unhappy” capture that sense of hope and renewal? Absolutely. Need we remind readers that once upon a time Baltimore had a leader sometimes referred to as “Mayor Annoyed”? That was the late William Donald Schaefer, who expected better of everything and everyone around him and wasn’t shy about berating his staff when he found trash in the streets. Now, that’s Baltimore: Recognizing your shortcomings is the first step to making things better. Oh, and congrats to Kipi and folks at the zoo. Those interested in offering a better name need to donate $100 and enter the drawing scheduled for April 23. For more information, check out the zoo’s website at marylandzoo.org.