The police officers indicted for their roles in the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray were honored at a black-tie gala held by Media Research Group, a prominent conservative news “watchdog.”
The unsuspected death of Gray while in police custody left many questioning the events surrounding the case. Gray was arrested by Baltimore police for allegedly possessing an illegal switchblade. While being transported in a police van, Gray sustained a spinal cord injury and died days later at a hospital, while still in police custody.
His death sparked controversy across the United States, especially in Baltimore, where the incident occurred. Protests broke out across the city, demanding that the officers be punished for their actions. Among the protests were hostile riots and looting of local businesses.
After an extensive investigation by the Department of Justice, Gray’s death was ruled a homicide. This led to the arrest of six officers with charges ranging from second degree murder to misconduct in office.
One year later, all charges against the police officers involved were dropped.
Months after the final court proceedings, the officers were invited to a black-tie gala as the guests of honor. At the annual gala held by the Media Research Center, the officers were introduced by Deneen Borelli, a conservative columnist.
“No one apologized for ruining their lives,” she said. “No one thanked them for their service or recognized their honor. Who will thank these officers? Who will thank all police officers … at a time they are being so vilified? Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, we will.”
My problem with this gala and the decision to honor these officers is the disrespect and insensitivity that comes along with it. With the media feeding everyone this narrative of black people versus police officers and vice versa, I don’t think it was smart to honor officers from a high-profile case like this, in which there was an obvious case of police brutality against a black man.
If the goal was to shed a positive light on the role police officers play in our everyday lives, a better approach to the situation would have been to honor police officers from a community that has good relations with it police.
Officer Tommy Norman from North Little Rock, Arkansas, is someone worthy of being honored for being a trustworthy and exemplary police officer. Norman takes initiative in getting to know the families around the community that he polices.
I’m sure Norman isn’t the only police officer in America to do this, and I’m sure whoever had the idea to honor those officers knew that, too. The decision to honor those specific police officers was careless and inappropriate.
Bringing these police officers to this black-tie gala wasn’t about honoring them and their profession, but rather giving people from the left who are supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement something to get angry about.
During her introduction speech, Borelli made false claims that the liberal, left-wing media was the main reason Baltimore police officers were blamed for Gray’s death. The autopsy ruling Gray’s death a homicide is why the police officers responsible for Gray’s transport were blamed for his death.
The justice system failed Gray by putting irresponsible people in positions of power, resulting in his death. The justice system failed Gray and his family by letting the people responsible for his death walk free.
If anyone’s lives have been ruined by Gray’s death, it’s the lives of Gray’s family, not the police officers responsible for his death.
Brianna Rhymes is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from New Iberia, Louisiana.