Arrest, Apology Demand, and Reflection of Henry Louis Gates Jr.

I have read the entire comment section.  (You knew that I would)

The people of these United States are being forced once again to have one of the most important and uncomfortable conversations in an open forum.  Race relations is a subject that causes a lot of different opinions to rise up.  Some are familiar and some are radical.  While other theories are not ever going to jive out in a positive manner depending on which ethnic grouping is giving or receiving.

Racism is a fact in this society.  I know of no ethnic group that does not have its prejudices. NONE.  What I find interesting about this particular situation is the arguments that have risen up about motivation on the two people who were involved.

From my perspective, here we have two males.  Both feeling accomplished in their respective fields.  Both probably feel equally proud of the individual accomplishments and citations in their line of work.  They meet and the clash of the Titans occurs. Two entirely different schools of cultural thought and experience create at atmosphere of friction.  From that point on it was a lit fuse to a powder keg.  Either it is going to blow or we'll be an intelligent society and start devising ways to work on a reasonable resolution for the common good.

This notion that racism is not involved if a Black person encounters another Black person is a moot point in my mind.  This is one aspect of our culture that is not that clear to people outside of our culture. We know that there are Black people who do not relate to other Black people because we are of the same race. We know that there is just as much classism among us as any other sector of American society. If you think about it, there is that Black officer who is even more scarier than his/her white counterpart.  Because they often respond in a far more vicious manner just to look like they are not showing favortism based on race.

  I take resentment to the fact that people think Hip Hop represents the sum total of Black identity and culture.  It is the one that makes money.  But, anyone who thinks we are not often offended by the imagery and statements made by different individuals, is not paying attention to what is happening outside of their sphere of culture and references.

There is racial undertones and overtones in this situation.  We can spend the next ten years going back and forth about who is the bigger of the two racist.  In the end, no one will be satisfied with the result.  Or we can use our energy to move things to a different level.  From my viewpoint that is going to require that inner look at personal attitudes.  Some serious and probably overdue adjustments on what we believe to be right and true.  And maybe then-we can have a public discussion that goes beyond this level.  This is an old conversation that just keeps remixing itself..time after time..

Ms Lady Deborah

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I think it was a mix of stuff--racism, classism, authoritarianism, agism, sense of guilt, fear of police, paranoia, voluminous ego and well, everything that makes a pissing contest nasty. The whole nation got sprayed.

Nordette Adams ( http://www.bookotopia.com ) is a BlogHer CE ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) & you can find her other stuff through Her 411 ( http://her411.com ).

Here I am contacting you to let you know that whites have lost jobs to non-whites. When someone gets a job because they are qualified that is the right thing. When someone gets a job just to fulfill a government quota system that is another story. The same holds true concerning college admissions.

My comments about HIP HOP music, black on black crime and single parent homes have a great deal to do with the Gates’ incident which was about racism/racial profiling. All of these things are major problems in a community. My thoughts are that racism seems to get center stage. It was a thought process like your comments earlier about sexism and rattlesnakes trying to make your point.

In one of your previous posts you stated “ I am curious that so many white people think they are experts on a topic which they may claim neither scholarship nor personal experience.” I have to admit that I find the comment a bit offensive. No one here has ever claimed to be an expert and I know of no other whites that make that claim. Furthermore, one does not have to be an academic scholar to be able to have an educated opinion on any subject.

The fact that Crowley worked teaching about racial profiling has been cast aside as not good enough. The fact that he was appointed by a black administrator is not good enough. The fact that he is a veteran officer with a good record is not good enough. The fact that a black police officer supports him is not good enough. Sometimes, white people cannot win for loosing. We always keep falling short of the finish line. If we say anything about involvement with blacks. “That’s mighty white of ya …..” This all was confirmed by your statement that Crowley may be in need of re-education. Why? Just because he felt backed into a corner and felt he had to prove he was not a racist? I find it offensive for blacks to nit-pick at comments made by whites when blacks are the ones questioning a white person’s racial integrity. No, the fact that Crowley came to Reggie Lewis’s aid does not make him non-racist. And if he did mention that he had black friends or voted for Obama, that is a major sin? “Mighty white of ya …” Once again, by rules set in place by African Americans, whites never measure up. Like I said before, all of his other qualifications so to speak have been so easily discounted. Maybe, just maybe some whites offer up these “Mighty white of ya ..” comments out of frustration?

Let’s talk about people influenced by race. Mr. Gates has studied and documented racism in America, correct? I read a story that years ago Mr. Gates bought the biggest house in Durham and was offended when people working on the house thought he was a servant , a hired hand, anything but the actual owner. Obviously, he was offended. Could it not be possible that Mr. Gate’s prior experience here, along with his lengthy knowledge of racism influenced his actions when he was confronted by Sgt. Crowley? I have to admit, this is what I think happened.

I have not read any of Professor Gate’s books. I would be curious to read how he documented racial comments made by those like Louis Farrakhan, Khallid Abdul Muhammad, and Malik Zulu Shabbazz to name a few. Would I find any comments by the Rev. Al Sharpton in Mr. Gate’s works? What has Mr. Gates wrote about the Duke Lacrosse incident? I am sorry, I really do not mean to discredit Professor Gates. However, an African American writing about racism is comparable to the police investigating themselves. When one has a personal interest in the outcome can that person ever be totally unbiased?

I will agree with you. All of us should have freedom in our own homes to do as we please as long as we are not bothering anyone. I actually wish Officer Crowley would have just kept on walking out the door. Both men appeared to not want to back away. I don’t make the laws and if you watched and listened to Sgt. Lashley’s comments in the YouTube video, you heard him state he supported Crowley and that racism was not involved here. Possibly, just two men bumping heads. So, my viewpoint here has been influenced by Professor Gates’ statements, and more than one police officers’ statements.

Finally, let me say that I have enjoyed our conversation here. I feel it is time to move on to other things. I will read any comments you make and take them to heart. If I have said anything here that you have found offensive, I offer my sincerest apology. I do look forward to the day when color just does not matter.

Regards, BobbyG

We all have our crosses to bear. Of course there are some black people who are bigots and don't like any white people under any circumstances ( http://www.racematters.org/blackslackpowertoberaci... ). When those people start preventing you from getting a job, a bank loan, or good medical care because they and their kind are in charge of most of the nation's systems, then please contact me. 

Otherwise, I'm not sure what HipHop lyrics have to do with the Gates incident since Gates is not a HipHop proponent and neither is HipHop representative of the scope of black culture. Furthmore, I don't see what crime in the black community has to do with the Gates incident since Gates lives in an affluent white community and was in his own home nor do I know what single parenthood has to do with this subject.

Perhaps I should be concerned that country music, which is thought of as "white music" by some people, often features folks cheating on their husbands and wives or that some punk rock stars have misogynistic lyrics. For some reason it never occurs to me to make any single white person responsible for those artists.  

BobbyG, in case you don't know, people within the black community have been addressing concerns about rap lyrics and your other references, but still, what does it have to do with Gates, an academic scholar?

If Crowley had these kinds of concerns on his mind--HipHop lyrics as the sum of black culture, crime in the black community, single parents, etc., then well ... maybe that's why he arrested Gates. Gee. Go figure. Maybe he should go over to MIT and arrest some geeks for porn being out of control on the Internet. What would that be, "geek profiling"? Obviously I'm being facetious.

I acknowledge white confusion and advise meditation and introspection, sleeping with accurate history books under the pillow followed by listening carefully to what non-white people are really saying beyond young black men who don't know who they are doing rap.

Yes, sometimes screaming racism is a smoke screen for bad behavior but the fact that some people scream racism when there is none is about as relevant as as saying some women cry rape when there is none.   The fact is rape is a problem and so is racism. If you don't believe Crowley was influenced by race, then you don't believe it. End of story.  

But let's assume for a moment Gates did scream racism at Crowley. The question remains should Crowley have arrested him for that? If so, why? Who was in danger of Gates's opinion in his own home or on his own front porch. You can see from the picture that Gates was just outside his front door on his own porch when he was handcuffed, and even Crowley admits he knew it was Gates's home. How was Crowley protecting the community by arresting Prof. Gates, a 58-year-old man of slender build who walks with a cane and was mouthing off? Why defend this misuse of tax dollars? 

Thank you for your comments. 

Nordette Adams ( http://www.bookotopia.com ) is a BlogHer CE ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) & you can find her other stuff through Her 411 ( http://her411.com ).

It is not important weather the 911 caller is white, black,  a neighbor or not.  What is important is the fact that she thought she witnessed a crime and decided to report it.

I have heard both Prof. Gates' side of the story as well as Ofcr. Crowley's side.  There was a patrollman Carolos Figueroa who arrived at the scene shortly after Crowley's arrival.  Patrolman Figueroa stated that he heard Crowley ask Gates for itentification and heard Gates say "No, I will not!"  He also said Gates was shouting at Crowley, calling him a racist and saying, "this is what happens to a black man in America."  Here is a link for that bit of info ... and there are others ...

http://blog.taragana.com/n/other-officer-in-black-...

Also, the black police officer , Sgt. Leon Lashley, on the scene stated that he fully supported Sgt. Crowley.  Here is a link to a Youtube video.  You can listen to his comments yourself. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxM8cwosjew 

Last of all, I never stated nor have pretended to be an expert on racism/racial profiling.  However, sometimes in conversations with African Americans, I am left with the opinion that many feel racism is just a white thing.   

I have to admit that it is hard for many white people to not be concerned when they look at local arrests and see mostly African Americans and Hispanics.  Take a look at www.crimeincharlotte.com ( http://www.crimeincharlotte.com/ ) for example...

Also, I agree that racism is a big problem in America and many whites are in fact guilty.  However, many whites sit confused when they hear some HipHop music degrading women with lyrics about "Bitches & Hoes". (and you want to comment about men who look at women's boobs? - sexism?)  Music that glorifies drugs, violence and hatred for police and authority.

Racism seems to take center stage.  The bad bad "white man".  What about black on black crime, single parent homes?  Are these problems equally important?

I guess we all need to take lessons on understanding ?

Regards, BobbyG 

Gena, I had the same thoughts about the meeting with Ogletree. LOL. 

Nordette Adams ( http://www.bookotopia.com ) is a BlogHer CE ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) & you can find her other stuff through Her 411 ( http://her411.com ).

I do hope this becomes a teachable moment, but I see that we still have camps in this country that don't want to learn anything new or helpful nor do they want to do the inner work that examines why they refuse to learn anything new or helpful.

My hat is off to anyone who keeps the door open to discussion because it's hard not to get fed up, take your marbles, and go home.  

Thank you. 

Nordette Adams ( http://www.bookotopia.com ) is a BlogHer CE ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) & you can find her other stuff through Her 411 ( http://her411.com ).

There's another debate in the black community that Gates did not act wisely. If he thought Crowley was wrong, they say, he should not have challenged him. He should have waited until he was safe in his home and then filed a complaint.

Boy, if the walls in Gates's house could only speak ... 

Nordette Adams ( http://www.bookotopia.com ) is a BlogHer CE ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) & you can find her other stuff through Her 411 ( http://her411.com ).

I cannot fathom the people who waste time trying to prove racism is a myth or no longer exist.

It sounds like Gates knows this is not a post-racial world, however. The more I read on this, the more I think Gates has some other issues going on that require introspection and so does Crowley.

*Grumble. Grumble* Look at how this incident has split the nation. Anyone who thought we'd overcome has an open can of worms to dissect. 

Thank you for commenting. 

Nordette Adams ( http://www.bookotopia.com ) is a BlogHer CE ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) & you can find her other stuff through Her 411 ( http://her411.com ).

That sounds very scary. Sorry that happened to your family member. I am well aware that there are people of all races who have had unsettling encounters with the police and also know that police have a right to approach people who resemble criminals for whom they search. However, for all you know, the police officer who accosted your family member was overreacting, dangerous, and out of line. There is concern in quarters other than the black community that some officers abuse their authority and too many officers believe no one has the right to question an officer's actions. There are officers of all races who may lean toward abuse of power and there are officers of all races who are excellent at their jobs and fair.

However, you may give the officer who drew the gun on your family member the benefit of the doubt because you trust police officers easily. Did he apologize to your family member after he did that and found out he was wrong? Did your family member verify that he looked liked the suspect or drove the same kind of car or did your family member just assume the officer was right and following protcol?

People who always trust police officers, perhaps because being harassed by officers is not common in their communities, don't question whether their rights are being violated or consider that they may be dealing with a rogue officer or an officer who needs a vacation. And if they live in a white community and are white, they usually don't have to consider racism as a factor because white people are rarely treated with suspicion by other white people and police officers simply because they are white.

How many white men do you know who were stopped becasue they drive a luxury car and asked for license and proof of registration? Have you actualy studied the stats on racial profiling? Would you be willing to take a bias test ( http://bigsole.blogspot.com/2009/03/fox-series-lie... ) to see if you assume black people are up to no good. Would Sgt. Crowley be willing to take the test, I wonder.

I am curious that so many white people think they are experts on a topic which they may claim neither scholarship nor personal experience. If you are white, most likely you have no consistent personal circumstance from which you may regularly experience what some black people experience as oppression. 

It's very much like men trying to tell women that they're only imagining their male boss is a sexist. The men have never been in a woman's body to see that the boss talks to her boobs rather than her face. They, being male, don't think it's odd that all but one of the managers is male despite the company having a large pool of qualified women because really, it's not a subject that concers or affects them.  Yet they are positive the male boss is an "o.k. guy" and so not sexist.. The reality is the men may not see that what the boss does is sexist because they either think it's acceptable behavior and a reflection of the "proper" social order, they do the same, or they think men should stick together against complaining women because they like the world exactly the way it is--spinning in their favor.

At the same time, people who live in communities where police have a long history of harrassing folks without provocation lean toward believing the officer is always wrong. This attitude may lead to skewed conclusions about what really happened. I acknowledge that their are some black people always think the the cop was being racist for stopping them. My recognition of this fact, however, does not lead me to conclude Gates was being a racist for questioning Sgt. Crowley's actions. Why Crowley arrested Gates is worthy of examination.

Finally: 

1.) Professor Gates is a scholar who documents racism, and so whether he personally experienced being harassed by the the police before his encounter with Crowley or not is irrelevant. People who've never been bitten by rattlesnakes but who've studied rattlesnakes know to be cautious around rattlesnakes. BTW, Gates has experienced racism, as have most black men his age in America. I recommend people read more of his work and more on his life experience before assuming he doesn't know what he's talking about.

2.) This tendency to believe Sgt. Crowley is telling the absolute truth and Gates is a liar is very telling of American culture's attitudes toward black males. Perhaps you'll read more on this story, including the latest on the original 911 call ( http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5... ), which suggests Crowley may have jumped to conclusions and embellished his account. Furthermore, Crowley's evidence for why he is not a racist ( http://bigsole.blogspot.com/2009/07/sgtcrowley-wro... ) indicates he would benefit from a few sociology courses about racism and racist attitudes.  White people who have had close encounters with black people for a positive outcome are not immune to having racist attitudes any more than black people who have some white friends are not immune to holding bigoted beliefs about whites as a group.

3.) I'm curious. Did you even read Professor Gates's account of what happened or did you automatically assume Sgt. Crowley's report was correct? 

4.) It's quite possible both men overreacted. This fact does not mean racism, classism, and ignorance of police culture had no influence on their reactions.

Regards,

N. 

Nordette Adams ( http://www.bookotopia.com ) is a BlogHer CE ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) & you can find her other stuff through Her 411 ( http://her411.com ).

1.) While it was reported by the MSM and and therefore picked up by bloggers that the woman who called 911 was a neighbor, she in fact, is not.

2.) You may read the police report in which Crowley, the arresting officer, said the witness/caller is white. Please write him and tell him that you think he's a liar.

3.) The black officer in the photo was not there for the altercation, and so is not a witness to what happened inside Gates's home. He was one of many officers who reported to the scence after Crowley, who went to the house alone, called for back-up because I guess, an older man who said he was a professor was of small build and walked with a cane, seemed like a threat to him.  However, the presence of black officer in the home or outside the home has nothing whatsoever to do with whether Crowley acted without bias.

4.) Harvard professors described it as a case of racial profiling. I don't know if it is or it isn't because racial profiling has different defintions. However, I do know that statistics across the country show racial profiling is a real problem for black and Latino citizens. Perhaps you should write the Harvard professors who called the Gates case racial profiling and tell them you disagree. 

5.) The woman, Ms. Whalen, who called the police, says Crowley has lied about what she told him. She says she never described the men as black. The Cambridge Police released the 911 call and it seems Ms.Whalen is correct. She did not say on the call that the men were black. Furthermore, she told the police that she wasn't sure it was a break-in.  Read the story here ( http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5... ).

Thank you for commenting. 

Nordette Adams ( http://www.bookotopia.com ) is a BlogHer CE ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) & you can find her other stuff through Her 411 ( http://her411.com ).

Turns out the neighbor who called was not white, oh and did you see the picture of when Gates was arrested? Wll I be darn, there with the "White Guy" was a African American Police Officer. Oh, do tell.

Hello,

Just pretend that I am a woman who blogs ..ok?   The arrest of Prof. Gates and the accusation that this is racism makes me laugh.  The race card is played far too often.  Someone called the police in fear that two men were breaking into a home.  Mr. Gates would not come out of the home when asked to do so by a police officer.  Mr. Gates made demands for the officer's name and badge number.  For what?  Did he think the officer was there just to mess with him?  Now, this is a highly educated man correct?  So, how hard was it for Mr. Gates to realize that the officer was there to make sure that neither he nor his property were in danger?  No, the police were there just to mess with him a black man.  No too intelligent if you ask me.

If racism was involved, I say it was Mr. Gates who is the racist,  Thats right!  Mr. Gates believes in the racial profile that a white police officer was there for no other purpose than to mess with a black man. 

I will tell you that after locking myself out, I broke into my home several years ago and set off my home alarm system.  The police came and made the same demands of me.  Since this is racial and all, I will add that the police were white and I am white.  The only thing different was that I did what they asked period!  So, as a white man, I had to prove that I lived there.  And I have no doubt that if I posed a problem, I would have been arrested.   

A family member of mine worked for the state of Massachusetts.  One day he was working on the side of the road when a Highway Patrol Officer drove up in his car. The officer jumped out of his car, gun pointed and yelled.  %$#@, if you move, I will blow your $#@&* head off.  He actually pointed the gun to my family member's head.  Both my family member and the officer are white.  Someone who looked like my family member just robbed a store at gun point.  I guess my family member fit a "profile"?  What would have been said if my family member was black?  Racism ???

I need to ask, if Mr. Gates has no prior arrest record, then where is his big fear that he was being racially profiled?  Obviously he has not been singled out in the past 59 years. 

Regards, BobbyG

I love this post. I have always admired Dr. Gates and I always will. I think that what he has to teach is so powerful and so much needed.

http://fromayellowhouse.blogspot.com ( http://fromayellowhouse.blogspot.com/ )

Fortunately, with the President as his friend, and with the President identifying the cops who arrested Dr Gates as having "acted stupidly", Dr Gates doesn't need to sue. The cops that arrested him got called out by the President.

Anyone who thinks that in today's world an innocent African American shouldn't get nervous when a white cop is at their door is smoking (and inhaling) something from the Land That Time Forgot. I am innocent of crime too, and white -- and I'd be nervous as heck if a cop was at my door. And my folks have not had to be the the recipients of centuries of aggressive racism, some of it by those very people who should have been protecting them.

Well done, Mr President. Well spoken, Nordette.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool ( http://timesfool.blogspot.com )

Embedded video from CNN Video ( http://www.cnn.com/video )
Thank you all for your comments thus far. I'd say more, but I'm on my way to BlogHer09 and typing from the passenger seat of a car. :-)

Nordette Adams ( http://www.bookotopia.com ) is a BlogHer CE ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) & you can find her other stuff through Her 411 ( http://her411.com ).

Gena - you describe how I see it very well. 

I know it is not the same but I think back to the choice I had to make when my neighbor said, when I was going door to door for petitions signatures, that there were too many Jews in my town already and he wouldn't help me.  My 12 year old daughter was standing there with me and heard this man go on and on and then say he is 86 and dying (later confirmed by other neighbors) etc.  And I had to decide - do I read him the riot act or do I extricate myself and figure out how to make it a teaching moment for my daughter - and myself.  I'm still not SURE I made the right choice, but my daughter told me she was proud that I didn't escalate it and it's given us many, many conversations with others that we wouldn't have had.

Gates' words are so moving, as quoted and placed by Nordette.  I think that in itself shows the potential for the impact this experience is going to have on the future - I hope??

Yeah, I hope.

Jill Writes Like She Talks ( http://www.writeslikeshetalks.com )

Can you imagine what the D.A.'s office must have been like when they got word who was representing Dr. Gates? They needed oxygen stat. I could see them behind the door, "For the love of all that is holy please find away to drop the charges."

Sorry Nordette, it is that perverse side of me that likes to find the humor in an unfunny but too common situation. Can't wait for TV's Law and Order when they pin something on the "inspired by real events" version.

Prof. Olgetree ( http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/index... ) isn't exactly a legal slouch. I remember him on the Fred Friendly series of seminars on PBS. There are hours of video with this man handling panels of the most prominant Americans of the late 1980s and 1990s. Olgetree inspired many people to become lawyers. 

The communities that these men are associated with are powerful. Financially, intellectually and politically powerful people. The Police Chief's phone ringer died of exhaustion.

I can see Dr. Gates wanting to transmute this into something positive and of greater cultural value. Teaching is a very effective weapon and that it will be on video; works for me. I like it.

Professor Gates will not have any problems getting funding. 

Gena - Out On The Stoop ( http://outonthestoop.blogspot.com )

A thoughtful and well-crafted piece.

Being such a big fan of Professor Gates, it was almost as if someone had arrested my relative. Some more vocal folks believe he did not react strongly enough. But if they know his readings, and his contribution to the community, we should be the ones, with posts such as yours, pushing for more dialogue until that race is won.

Thank you for starting here. 

Houseonahill

www.Houseonahillorg.blogspot.com ( http://www.houseonahillorg.blogspot.com/ )

In my heart, I believe that Professor Gates did not sue because he knows where the real change will happen. There comes a time when working within the system is futile. 

But Professor Gates can reach so many students. Can you imagine the passion behind his lectures next year?

On the heels of this:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20090720_Store_v... ( http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20090720_Store_v... )

a (Hispanic) Philly Cop and the cop's son getting violent with a woman, and then trying to get the video tapes erased, I think that we need to have our officers wearing video cameras on their persons at all times. There HAS to be some accountability, and it would protect the police officers, too.

The really tragic part here isn't that a prominent black professor was arrested, but that the only way your side of the story in the he said/he said cop report debate is heard is if you are well-to-do, with no history what so ever, and have the resources to fight.

Professor Gates' story could have ended much, much worse. *sigh*

I'm kinda worn out hearing "post-racial." It isn't here. Having a black president doesn't mean everyone suddenly pulled their heads out of their bums. And if it gets here, it's not just gonna stick around without work and concious effort. We have to keep working at it, ALL of us, every day.

You gave me the chance to say what I think without changing the tone of my post. :-) 

Nordette Adams ( http://www.bookotopia.com ) is a BlogHer CE ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) & you can find her other stuff through Her 411 ( http://her411.com ).

Nordette I'm so sorry!  I am guilty of pronoun abuse and of reading too fast as well.  I totally get what you're saying and apologize multiple times if I have misrepresented any of your thoughtful and excellent discussion.  My bad.

Cynthia Samuels, PartnerCobblestone Associates, LLPBlog and Media Strategies and Content Development Online and on Television   

Don’tGel Too Soon ( http://dontgelyet.typepad.com/dontgeltoosoon )

When you say, "I know you think Dr. Gates should have been more fierce in his response ..." Do you mean me specifically or people in general because I think his interview and that he's said he's going to aim his scholarly skill at racial profiling, is fierce. It's a different kind of fierce--slow, thoughtful and calculating. He's not Cornel West and I don't expect him to be.

While blogging is seen as the "cry of the I," I sometimes don't tell what I think throughout a story. In this piece I just reported what I've seen and heard online within the context of recent incidents with the police and told my perception of the mindset at work regarding Gates's arrest. The only time I shared my personal opinion about how he handled the matter was at the end of the post when I shared my hope that his work will wake up the naive.

Otherwise, my references to the expectation of what people wanted him to do are just that, references to what many people wanted him to do. If I had meant me, I would have said it clearly. At most my overall tone reflects a sense of weariness.

A lot of people of all racial backgrounds wanted Gates to come out guns blazing and sue the Cambridge Police because we're used to seeing lawsuits as the solution to racial injustice. Even at my own blog when commenting on this story, however, the most I said is I wish he'd sue for defamation of character.  I think the officer made it sound like Gates is a ranting lunatic and I don't believe the cop.

My editorializing with "Everybody wins!" is directed at the tone of the joint agreement because it sounds like a truckload of chickens vomiting BS. 

After a day of excitement and rants on this topic from people all over the web, it seemed a let down for him to agree to not pursue legal action, but I see nothing wrong with the course he's taking. To say he's not a radical is not a criticism and in this case I'm only repeating what someone who knows him and who's studied his work said.

To say he may fear losing his reputation, which is my thought, is also not a criticism but speculation based on observation because I think to fear losing one's reputation in today's climate of lightining fast information with innuendo and fact twisting is reasonable.

Thank you for commenting.  I don't know if you meant me or people in general, but if you meant me, I needed to state my opinion of how Gates handled the matter because I know I intentionally did not do that in the post. However, I'm always amused by what people think I think even when I don't say what I think. :-)

Nordette Adams ( http://www.bookotopia.com ) is a BlogHer CE ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) & you can find her other stuff through Her 411 ( http://her411.com ).

I have long been an admirer of Professor Gates, his work and his speeches and appearances.  He's such a gentleman.  Somehow the warmth and eagerness that manifests in his public appearances makes this even more painful.

In addition to Nordette's wonderful work in this post, remember that we've also just dealt with the specter of a bunch of kids being thrown out of a swim club.  If you had seen the pain in the interviews with them later.. they won't forget.  Too much of this stuff still going on.

I know you think Dr. Gates should have been more fierce in his response but I suspect he's not that sort of guy.  Since it happened to him - and with his work he knows the consequeces of most responses to racial injustice, I think we need to respect his decision.

Personally, I found the whole thing so upsetting I almost want him to sue the police for the rest of us - of all races - who felt almost physically ill when this story broke. 

Cynthia Samuels, PartnerCobblestone Associates, LLPBlog and Media Strategies and Content Development Online and on Television   

Don’tGel Too Soon ( http://dontgelyet.typepad.com/dontgeltoosoon )

This is so sad.  Sad is not a strong enough word.  Disgusting.  Horrifying.

I dont understand how anyone could speak about any society being "post-racial" unless its just a way to say "I dont want to know".