Calling people 'thugs' solves nothing

(CNN)  In light of the current unrest in Baltimore, riot shaming seems to be the new fad.

Everybody’s doing it, and while it is easy, it helps us change the subject and ignore the harder issues facing African-Americans.

What is unfolding in that city, of course, and is receiving national attention, is the aftermath of the death of Freddie Gray, 25, who died of a broken spine while in police custody.

The circumstances around the man’s killing and public outrage in the black community have led to peaceful protests.

And unfortunately, though understandably, things have boiled over, with riots and looting by some. Governor Larry Hogan (R-MD) has declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard, and Baltimore schools are closed.

And people have lined up to condemn the riots, the looting, and the violence. For example, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was in front of the cameras Monday night referring to the rioters as “thugs.”