Oh, Baltimore. You’re a city of so many wonderful things (kaddo bowrani; Lower Dens; and Ray Rice — to name a few), but still you have so many problems. Our roundup of 2012’s biggest Baltimore scandals is below; let us know if we’ve forgotten anything juicy:
- The Elmo sex scandal is probably still fresh in your mind, but in case you need a reminder on how Towson grad and award-winning puppeteer Kevin Clash’s life fell apart this year, here’s our recap and new accusations were reported in The Baltimore Sun yesterday.
- Matthew Heimbach, currently a senior at Towson University, caused all sorts of problems for his school this year. In March, his Youth for Western Civilization student group is shut down after its faculty sponsor (conservative pundit Richard Vatz) withdraws his support because of YWC’s inflammatory language. Undaunted, Heimbach starts his senior year by petitioning the school to start a White Student Union and raising funds to invite a notorious white nationalist to speak on campus. Last we heard, Heimbach was participating in a roundtable discussion convened by the Huffington Post.
- A school shooting on the first day of class at Perry Hall High School shocks the community — especially after we learned that the shooter had effectively announced his plans via Facebook that morning.
- A community activist is murdered in Mt. Vernon, and the City Paper wonders whether all victims are treated equally.
- Volkswagen draws ire from the New York Times (and us!) for ripping off Baltimore band Beach House.
- A Towson historical site promotes a well-intentioned but misguided “Slave for a Day” event, which it subsequently withdraws.
- After Towson University’s homecoming party erupted in violence (and pepper spraying, police dogs, and one shooting), we wonder whether the school had an alcohol problem. This t-shirt didn’t help.
- A McDonogh grad wears blackface to a Duke Halloween party and ignited (minor) internet outrage. Hopefully this will be the final lesson anyone, anywhere needs on this subject: just don’t ever wear blackface, ever.
- The flea market Renoir starts out as a heartwarming tale of treasure mistaken for junk… and quickly morphs into a lawsuit-filled story of family feuds and blaming the BMA. Because when money’s involved, nothing’s ever simple.
