--- title: Dr. Ben Carson: Baltimore Rioting Is 'Truly Senseless' description: 'I pray that the city’s young people observe this situation as gross misconduct.' canonical: https://time.com/3838868/ben-carson-baltimore-riots/ author: Dr. Ben Carson article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-04-28T19:31:54.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T05:04:19.998Z article:section: Ideas og:title: Dr. Ben Carson: Baltimore Rioting Is 'Truly Senseless' og:description: "I pray that the city’s young people observe this situation as gross misconduct" og:url: https://time.com/3838868/ben-carson-baltimore-riots/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcc6e40bc8e0f66f7/6987ed4a2dce01c8399e189c/ben-carson1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 4000 og:image:height: 2250 og:image:alt: Ben Carson og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Dr. Ben Carson: Baltimore Rioting Is 'Truly Senseless' twitter:description: "I pray that the city’s young people observe this situation as gross misconduct" twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcc6e40bc8e0f66f7/6987ed4a2dce01c8399e189c/ben-carson1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Dr. Ben Carson: Baltimore Rioting Is 'Truly Senseless' > Sponsored content. 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Inside TIME is the newsletter where TIME's Editor-in-Chief explains cover selection and the editorial reasoning behind major stories. It is free at time.com/newsletters. #### Who is the editor of TIME? Sam Jacobs is TIME's Editor-in-Chief. He writes Inside TIME, a twice-weekly newsletter about the newsroom's reporting and editorial decisions. #### Is Inside TIME free? Yes. Inside TIME is a free newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and available at time.com/subscribe-agent. by [Dr. Ben Carson](https://time.com/author/dr-ben-carson/) ## Dr. Ben Carson Apr 28, 2015 7:31 PM UTC  Ben Carson during the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md.,on Feb. 26, 2015. Ben Carson during the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md.,on Feb. 26, 2015. Andrew Harrer—Bloomberg/Getty Images by [Dr. Ben Carson](https://time.com/author/dr-ben-carson/) ## Dr. Ben Carson Apr 28, 2015 7:31 PM UTC First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers are extended to those who are experiencing fear and loss during this troubling time, especially the families of Mr. Freddie Gray and first responders and officers. As a former resident of the city of Baltimore, it is very sad and unfortunate to see the destruction taking place by irresponsible individuals. After living there for 30-plus years, I understand the trials and tribulations that the city has undergone, and I have witnessed the stress and issues of many families whom I have served in the operating room. With all of this in mind, it is vital to remember that the best way to create positive change is through peaceful conversation, productive dialogue and policy ideas that display a commitment to resolution. When rioting and looting occurs in instances like this, I cannot help but think how important it is to get police involved early on in the community so that the first encounter a young person has with a police officer is not a hostile encounter. That is the type of thing that will make a huge difference in this country. The police have to acknowledge any shortcomings, and if there is unfairness, we need to look at it and improve upon that. Objectivity is the real answer. In order to get there, we have to be able to sit down at a table and have an intelligent conversation rather than getting to our respective corners and demonizing each other. We need to create relationships. Relationships are key to resolutions of problems. Also, let us consider how counterproductive it is to riot and destroy property. Many have a lifetime of hard work invested in businesses that were destroyed in minutes. These are our friends, our neighbors, and fellow citizens who continue to work hard and long to make a living as small business owners. They serve our communities in ways which we all rely upon. There is such a thing as right and wrong. Let us not allow the forces of evil to control us based on angry reactions. We can do much better. Furthermore, destruction of property will lead to expenditures that could have been allocated towards substantial policy goals, such as social and educational programs that can uplift members of the community. Businesses that provide jobs and facilitate growth in the economy are being destroyed. This is truly senseless. I urge parents, grandparents and guardians to please take control of your children and do not allow them to be exposed to the dangers of uncontrolled agitators on the streets. I pray that the city’s young people observe this situation as gross misconduct and that they embrace the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” ### See the Clashes in Baltimore After Freddie Gray's Funeral  A rioter stands atop a burning car as another man pours fuel onto the fire while Baltimore firefighters behind them fight fires in multiple burning buildings set ablaze by rioters during clashes in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Jim Bourg—Reuters  Firefighters battle a blaze after riots in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Jerry Jackson—TNS /Landov  Two cars burn in the middle of an intersection during riots near New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Andrew Burton—Getty Images  Protestors and pedestrians walk down Pennsylvania Avenue as smoke from a nearby CVS on fire covers the area in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Noah Scialom—EPA  A demonstrator raises his fist as police stand in formation as a store burns during unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on Monday, April 27, 2015. Patrick Semansky—AP  Demonstrators climb on a destroyed Baltimore Police car in the street near the corner of Pennsylvania and North avenues during violent protests following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images  Police carry an injured officer from the streets near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty Images  A demonstrator looks up after being sprayed with pepper spray during clashes in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Shannon Stapleton—Reuters  A man walks past a burning police vehicle in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Patrick Semansky—AP  Police put out a fire while responding to people protesting after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Michael Reynolds—EPA  Police officers arrest a man near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Drew Angerer—Getty Images  Police officers use pepper spray against demonstrators after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Jose Luis Magana—AP  Baltimore police officers tackle and arrest looters after they emerged from a "Deals" store with merchandise during clashes between rioters and police in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Jim Bourg—Reuters  A protestor unrolls police caution tape on North Avenue and Fulton Street during a protest for the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Noah Scialom—EPA  A man hurls a rock at Baltimore police officers outside the Mondawmin Mall following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images  Police officers walk in formation on Reisterstown Road near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore on April 27, 2015 . Drew Angerer—Getty Images  Baltimore police officers form a line in front of protesters near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty Images  A woman cries as demonstrators throw rocks at police officers during clashes in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Shannon Stapleton—Reuters  Protesters surround a police officer near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Drew Angerer—Getty Images  Friends and relatives say their last goodbyes to Freddie Gray as his casket is lowered into his grave at the Woodland Cemetery in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images  A pillow depicts the image of Freddie Gray inside his open casket during the funeral at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Michael Reynolds—EPA  Gloria Darden, mother of Freddie Gray, is comforted as she embraces his body before his funeral at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Patrick Semansky—AP  Gloria Darden, mother of Freddie Gray, is embraced before her son's funeral at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. 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