Freddie Gray

Did Freddie Gray let down his country or did his country let him down? In this whole situation, I believe that Freddie Gray is not innocent, but his rough upbringing probably did not help the case. More importantly, what happened to him in the police van that was transporting Gray was uncalled for. He had a tough upbringing and even lived in a house with lead paint that poisoned him and led him to developing disorders such as ADD. Freddie lived in a tough part of Baltimore; a place many people try to avoid. One day on April 12, Freddie Gray was pursued by cops by foot when Gray started running when seeing a cop. I find it strange why he started running when he saw the cops and then why the cops decided to chase after him. Either Freddie did something that he thought he had to run from the cops (since he had numerous run-ins with the law previous to this particular arrest) or did the cops have some type of stereotypical idea that some black man was running from them and there for he must be guilty for something. The police found a switchblade that apparently was illegal in the state of Maryland and broke the code of possessing a weapon in the city of Baltimore. When taken into custody, bystanders witnessed Freddie screaming in agony when being dragged to the police van that would transport him. When the van made its stop at the police station, medics were called to take Gray to a hospital because he slipped in a coma. His family stated he slipped in a coma by fractured vertebrae and that his spine was severely severed at the place of his head. He also suffered a heart attack but was successfully resuscitated even though he never gained consciousness. Gray would later die a week later from his injuries, leading to Baltimore to go in an outrage, especially the black community.
Police brutality is something that happens. When cops think they have all the power in the world to do whatever they want because they sport badge. That's not the case. There is no reason to beat up on someone even if they are guilty. They are still human. Six Baltimore cops were suspended for their actions and handling of Freddie Gray. Riots ensued in the city of Baltimore. The story of Freddie Gray was widespread and on the news every day. Even though Freddie Gray may have not been the most innocent man to live, he certainly died in an unlawful way. Police, who are supposed to protect civilians from harm, were the reason Freddie Gray died that day. Police officers let their country down. Police officers let down the city of Baltimore and Gray himself.