It was frustrating to watch cars and buildings burning in Baltimore. Nothing justifies intentional property damage, looting, destroying community institutions or hurling bottles at police.
Though the scenes on Monday night were heartbreaking, Americans could take some solace in the response of those citizens who turned out in droves after the rioting to clean up broken glass, fix some of the damage and engage with some of those who caused the destruction. As more peaceful protests continued, some residents linked arms to form a human buffer zone between the angriest of their own and lines of police.
The death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray touched off the demonstrations in Baltimore. Gray died April 19 of spinal cord and other injuries sustained while in the custody of Baltimore police.
Gray's death was the latest in a series of deaths of black men in encounters with police in U.S. cities. Videos of some of the incidents have documented a blatant disregard for human life and revealed officers planting evidence and denying medical care. In at least two cases, murder charges have been or will be filed against officers. Thousands of people of all races and backgrounds gathered again this week in cities across the country — including in Minneapolis — to show support for those in Baltimore.
The protests have put a spotlight on high unemployment, income inequality and lack of opportunity in largely minority communities across urban America. That made Tuesday's news that the Obama administration has named north Minneapolis a "Promise Zone" even more welcome.
The designation means the economically challenged neighborhood will receive priority for future federal grants. City officials hope greater federal support will spark economic development and housing improvements in the area. Job training programs could also get a boost.
Police brutality in any neighborhood is unacceptable. Police leaders must improve training and work to get rid of the relatively small percentage of racist officers who give policing a bad name.
At the same time, as the protests across the country have highlighted, economic stability is needed in crime-ridden neighborhoods to restore hope and opportunity for all.
