Sunday Roundup (POLITICS)
This week, the nation's eyes were on Baltimore and the protests over the death of Freddie Gray. The media, once again, focused only on the most sensationalized elements -- in this case, a CVS being looted, footage of which looped endlessly -- ignoring both the long historical context for the anger and the substance of the more representative non-violent protests. But those protesters' calls for justice were, in fact, being heard. On Friday, Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby charged the six officers involved in Gray's arrest with a range of crimes including murder and manslaughter. "I've heard your call for 'no justice, no peace,'" she said in announcing the charges. Whatever happens in this particular case, it's clear the problems with our justice system go beyond Baltimore. A start on fixing them would be putting as bright a spotlight on the underlying issues as we do on a looted drug store.