In Key Bridge collapse, Baltimore lost a piece of its cultural identity

Generations of working-class Marylanders watched in disbelief this week as an iconic symbol of their maritime culture crumbled into the Patapsco River. The deadly collapse of the historic Francis Scott Key Bridge has shaken Baltimore to its core and challenged its cultural identity as a port city that dates back to before the U.S. declared its independence. The Port of Baltimore will remain closed until crews can clear debris from the harbor and the bridge could take years to rebuild. Maryland’s port workers are among those who will likely suffer in the meantime. The collapse killed six construction workers whose deaths highlight the challenges facing immigrants in the U.S.