Cop who arrested Harvard prof was a racial profiling expert; Obama stands by criticism
This from WBZ-TV in Boston is one of the better accounts (plus video links) today:
The white police sergeant who arrested black Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. said Thursday President Barack Obama was “way off base” claiming Cambridge officers acted “stupidly” during the incident.
Sgt. James Crowley, who is a police academy expert on racial profiling, responded to Gates’ home near Harvard University last week to investigate a report of a burglary and demanded Gates show him identification. Police say Gates at first refused and accused the officer of racism.
Gates was charged with disorderly conduct. The charge was dropped Tuesday, and Gates has since demanded an apology from Crowley.
“I acted appropriately,” Crowley told WBZ Radio’s Carl Stevens Thursday.
“Mister Gates was given plenty of opportunities to stop what he was doing. He didn’t. He acted very irrational he controlled the outcome of that event.”
Here’s today’s Washington Post follow-up on Obama’s comments, made at the tail end of a Wednesday evening press conference:
President Obama stood by his criticism of the Cambridge police department’s arrest of Harvard University Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr., telling ABC News’s Terry Moran he was “surprised” by the controversy sparked by his comment during a prime-time news conference Wednesday that the department had behaved “stupidly.”
“I have to say I am surprised by the controversy surrounding my statement because I think it was a pretty straightforward commentary that you probably don’t need to handcuff a guy, a middle-aged man who uses a cane, who’s in his own home,” Obama told Moran in an interview set to air Thursday evening on “Nightline,” excerpts from which were made available online.
The president called arresting officer Sgt. James Crowley an “outstanding police officer” but emphasized that “it doesn’t make sense to arrest a guy in his own home if he’s not causing a serious disturbance.”
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193 comments Add your comment
ghostwriter
July 24th, 2009
8:17 am
So now you can be arrested for hurting a policeman’s feelings?
the truth...
July 24th, 2009
8:17 am
Obama shows his stripes for all to see….he is the Chief Rascist in Charge….add that to the Chief Traitor in Charge as he so willingly embraces our enemies abroad from Chavez to Castro to the Mullahs of Iran and you can clearly see that he is a disgrace to America….
Stand by lemmings and watch all your favorite TV shows and feed your small minds with the dribble dispensed daily by Hollywood while your country is stolen before your eyes….
Was it Kruschef that said they would defeat us “without firing a shot”?
Certainly that prediction has become fact….just look around…oh you can’t you’re watching American Idol?….or the Simpsons?….
Nancy
July 24th, 2009
8:19 am
President Obama was way out of line in responding with his remark of “stupidity.” President Obama is beginning to show more and more of his radical thinking as he enters into his second half of his first year in office. It is clearly evident that he spoke out of anger and frustration during the news conference and his “true colors” became very evident. He is a very frightening President for the United States of America.
The Insightful Blogger
July 24th, 2009
8:19 am
The only real story of note here is the stunning lack of judgment on Obama’s part, to needlessly weigh in on a racial topic without even knowing all the facts. But then, we are seeing this lack of judgment more and more every day. Truly, the president has no clothes . . . .
Tomhere
July 24th, 2009
8:20 am
There was NO racism here. That’s why it was reported as “two BLACK men”, when they could have said “two men”.
J.D.
July 24th, 2009
8:24 am
So much about something so insignificant. There are a helluva lot more important things to be concerned about.
Bad Idea
July 24th, 2009
8:32 am
The President DID NOT call the cop racist! Also, the Prez stated that the police BEHAVED stupidly. He DID NOT say they are stupid. As demonstrated in this case, many otherwise smart people can sometimes do really stupid things. The cop did a studpid thing.
Even if Gates was acting like a mad man, it was incumbent upon the officer to defuse and de-escalate the situation by leaving without further engagement once he established that no crime had occurred. Perhaps the cop’s racial profiling expertise needs to supplemented with conflict resolution training!
Who cares if an elderly man is talking way too much. The policeman should have responded with silence and left the scene. Let him file a complaint with the department, but don’t respond to bad behavior with more bad behavior. Way too much testosterone was flowing here. Most likely, the policeman is not a racist, but he certainly exercised really bad judgement here.
Reign
July 24th, 2009
8:35 am
Most of White America don’t understand the affects of racism and how it’s perpetuated on every level in Black American’s lives. I don’t necessarily think the cop was racist, but he certainly didn’t handle the situation well. Yes, Mr. Gates probably could have handled it better too, but the racism comes in when Officers treat a Black citizen differently based on skin color, so I guess the officer may have been prejudice. Racism is so natural and ingrained in White America that they don’t realize they’re doing it and they don’t realize we know they’re doing it. It’s a part of White America’s psyche to deny racism. It’s a machine put in place by public policy, the constitution and fed into by every industry in this country. Things are better, yes, but there are those among us who make judgments on all people of color based on their prejudiced thoughts and constant barrage of negative media images and stereotypes. Once the Officer realized there was no issue and that Mr Gates was entering his own home and he provided ID, there was absolutely no cause for him to arrest. He simply should have said something like “we received a call and came out to investigate, we’re happy everything’s OK, good day sir.” This should have been an extremely quick and simple investigation and both parties made it ugly, but the Officer started it through disrespect. Black people, especially, men, can’t say anything to an Officer. White America don’t get it and don’t want to get it because it’s easier. Racism not only affects Black people, it affects Whites…it distorts their thinking. And this isn’t the case for every White person, there are many many well developed thinking, human White people…many. Those that aren’t well developed in their thinking make the entire country look backwards and ignorant. And basically, that’s what the President is saying. The Officer acted stupidly, and he did. The man was in his own home people!!! He provided ID people!!! That should have been the end, why wasn’t it????? THINK ABOUT IT, get pass the other “stuff,” just think for once.
Really?
July 24th, 2009
8:38 am
It is funny how many are acting like this is an isolated case…like America doesn’t have a history of being killers and haters of it’s own people and still are. Unfortuntaley, many black youths picked up what the law told the KKK that can not (not that’s foolish to the uppermost) but not the subject right now…was the cop stupid? without a doubt, and looking at the interviews given by him, he is still holding claim to his fame of being stupid…now do I group this cop with every white police officer or every officer? no…people are people, they are good people, good people who make stupid mistakes, evil people, evil people who have a rare moments of doing something good…all cops are not racist, all black people are not yelling racism in situations involving a person of different color, all white people are not out to do harm or evil against a person of a differnt color…take each individual as they are…this officer was stupid, and Obama was right to call it has it is…some might not like it, because we suppose to act like certain occupations make you a wonderful person…we have child molestor, who are cops, preachers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, soliders… we like to play games with ourselves, we like to invent good people by what they do or represent..you can be a jerk cop who made a bad choice but learn from it, apologize and move on…
JDB
July 24th, 2009
8:39 am
Most of the folks on this blog have obviously not had a run in with the police recently. Next time you get pulled over, start acting beligerent and screaming at the cop, demaning he show you his ID and see what happens as a result. If Mr. Gates would have simply removed the chip from his shoulder, laughed off the misunderstanding for what it was and cooperated with the cop doing his job, none of this would have happened.
Like it or not folks, if you get into a headbutting contest with a cop, you are going to lose. Unless, you are a highly educated black Harvard professor, in which case you create a media storm, get the President involved, and have all charges dropped against you.
American Justice — 2009.
tc
July 24th, 2009
8:40 am
gates should not have mouthed off to the officer, the officer, obviously aware of the history of discrimination, could have been more understanding, and obama should not have used the word “stupidly”. all acted less than optimally, but each of these individuals has either been under great pressure, or now work under great pressure ….so can we let each of them reflect without all this outside agitation ….if that were the case each probably would admit to the other they overreacted
Susie
July 24th, 2009
8:41 am
There he goes again….trying to control EVERYTHING again.
What a man!!
SuperB
July 24th, 2009
8:43 am
Who wouldn’t be “agitated” if they were arrested in their own home? After the professor produced his Harvard ID and driver’s license– no matter how agitated or accusatory he was– the police should have apologized and left. There is no excuse for arresting a person and tossing them in jail for four hours when they did not threaten or attack the police. I dare anyone– to get arrested in your own home– and not be irate!
Victim of Racism/Supremacy
July 24th, 2009
8:50 am
Crowley is an Expert Racist who should be terminated.
oscar
July 24th, 2009
8:50 am
IT SEEMS TO ME CERTAIN PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY HAVE TO OBEY THE LAW.
IF THE BLACK COMMUNITY WOULD QUIT ACTING LIKE A BUNCH OF IDIOTS WE WOULD BE BETTER OFF.
Rob
July 24th, 2009
8:50 am
Obama is broadcasting his opinion without knowing the facts, how unprofessional for a president. This is a local issue and Obama has no business commenting on it. The officer was doing his job, it was the loud mouthed professor who was trying to make a scene. I guess Al Sharpton will be there soon, getting his ugly mug on camera, give us all a break.
Erykh
July 24th, 2009
8:51 am
Just the fact that this reporter felt the need to ask the POTUS this question invokes race. This question would not have been asked of GWB or Bill Clinton. Period
harry8
July 24th, 2009
8:53 am
It was the policeman’s obligation to withdraw from the situation as soon as the homeowner was identified. He was the professional in this situation. Mistaken identity is no big deal; it happens everyday in the police officer’s life. The police investigation was over at that point. The homeowner had every right to demand the police leave. The police officer should have apologized to the homeowner for accosting him at his own home; that would have been the professional thing to do. But the officer continued to engage the homeowner until the situation resulted in a “stupid” arrest.
Former Police Officer
Leo
July 24th, 2009
9:00 am
I’d hate to be his daughters teachers…if there’s a question about the kids’ grades, BO may explain how “stupid” the teachers are while he’s supposed to be discussing health care in front of the world.
Tray
July 24th, 2009
9:03 am
You can tell there are idiots like harry8 that don’t have all their facts and want to make a comment just like Obama. THE OFFICER DID ATTEMPT TO LEAVE (you moron), it was the racial slurs, the comments about his mother, and the general disordely conduct that got him arrested. YES, it is against the law to VERBALLY ASSAULT a cop! Harry, if you are truly a former cop, which i doubt you are (after all this is a blog), you would have read the report, you have read witness testimony, and you probably would have acted the same way…that is, unless you’re a black cop. By the way, the black cop that was there is defending the white cops actions…
lovelyliz
July 24th, 2009
9:07 am
Where are the property rights advocates?
And since when has it been a crime to be in the home that you legally own?
lovelyliz
July 24th, 2009
9:11 am
Thanks harry8.
This was supposed to be a burglary investigation and once it became apparent that no burglary was taking place, the police officers should have continued on to the next complaint leaving Mr. Gates alone on his own property.
Concerned Brother
July 24th, 2009
9:13 am
Listen, everyone just take a chill pill here and for those of you who said he shouldn’t have commented on the issue, maybe you should have said, the white reporter should never have asked the question. He has to answer all questions. He can’t say no comment, he’s the president morons!!
JDB
July 24th, 2009
9:16 am
I would be irate if I got arrested in my own home. Thing is, I am smart enough to know that I better just be as polite as I can be, cooperate fully saying “yes sir” and “no sir” until the situation is resolved and the cop goes away. Guess what? That is how you stay out of jail!!! White, black, yellow, brown — I would suggest the same advice to anyone if your ultimate goal is to avoid troule with the law.
It saddens me that this event will do nothing but further the divide between the white and black races. The same thing will happen 1000 times today across this country to people of all races, but none of those stories will make the news because there isn’t really a story. It’s just cops doing their jobs, enforcing the law and acting within their legal bounds to do so.
Does anyone really believe that once the cop saw a tucked-in polo shirt and khakis wearing bespectecled black man, that this event had anything to do with racial profiling? That is a lie. It was a contest of egos. The influence Mr Gates has enabled his exoneration, but if this had happened to any other person of any color, they would have ended up in jail, period.
Neal Kelley
July 24th, 2009
9:21 am
Ok.. Everyone.. Was anyone there when the question was framed and delivered to Obama.. I know if a police office knocked on your door and asked for ID in your own home.. you will feel a bit frustrated. Gates did show the man ID.. and they arrested him any way.. Everyone get your facts straight.. What happened is that both Gates and Police office lost there tempers.. They are both wrong. As far as racisim.. I was not there and do not know what happened.. I have been a victim of racism because I am African American by police officers that are suppose to protect and serve.. So I understand that.. As far the Obama critics… Well if BUSH is the gleaming example of Capitalism at its best.. Then give me OBAMA any day.. Stop calling our commander and chief a COMMIE.. Have some respect for your country!!!!
Shroedder
July 24th, 2009
9:22 am
OMG, another African American not taking responsiblity for their own stupidity. What is it with this race where any time there is a brush with the law it’s because of the color of their skin and not their actions leading up to the incident? Watch the news in Atlanta some random evening. Wanna know why the jails are filled with blacks? Because that is where most of the crime originates. I challenge the black community to clean up their act and stop screaming racism when they are held accountable for the same laws the rest of us white folk all follow.
clyde
July 24th, 2009
9:23 am
Me thnks we have a President who is more than a wee bit racist himself.He’s been waiting patiently for an incident to express his held back opinion and he unfortunately thought this issue was the one to jump in on.Wrong decision,Mr. Obama,wrong decision.
Toussaint Lynn
July 24th, 2009
9:29 am
I agree totally with Obama. The police were dumb. Everyone should be able to see that because the charges were dropped the next day. If the police were correct why drop the charges?
CWILLI
July 24th, 2009
9:33 am
I think Mr. Gates is an opportunist who took advantage of a situation or for that matter. Regardless to the fact if it had not been Mr. Gates, robbers for example he would be complaining as well I think. Also it appears he was arrested for being unruly not for being at his own residense and being accused as a robber. Come on if you going to pick a battle Mr. Gates pick the right one.
The presidents comments I believe is personal and we tend to come to the defense of our friends without thinking, Mr. President sometimes the friends we think we know we don’t know. Stay focused on the problems at hand I do think it was very inappropriate for you to comment on that situation, your answer to the journalist that asked you that question should have been “this not the place nor the time for that question, Mr. Gates is a friend and I will have to discuss in detail and research and see what really happened”. Wow see how simple that was, as for the policeman if Mr. Gates did say something about his mother he was out of line and I know if someone said something about my mother I would be confrontational. But I would like to say lets not take this situation and become pot stirrers but resolutionist. To the journalist that asked that question you are a PS.
JDB
July 24th, 2009
9:34 am
Toussaint,
Surely you aren’t that naive. What would have happened if the charges weren’t dropped? I’ll let you figure that one out for yourself. Do you think the city of Boston or Cambridge wanted that kind of media storm/ bad publicity? I think not.
mini mi-mi
July 24th, 2009
9:41 am
Is ther so little crime going on in Cambridge that cops have the time to arrest an elderly man, with a cane and perhaps a chip on his shoulder, who’s in his own hoome, minding his own business?
Steve
July 24th, 2009
9:42 am
I believe Mr Gates overreacted to the situation, and Obama should have just indicated he would not publically comment on the issue at that time.
Obama, I’m sure, was acting like most friends would and wants to stand with his friend (Prof Gates). I don’t believe he let racism be a deciding factor in his comments as much as not knowing all the facts (read the police report Jerry provided @ 7:54 7/23/09 http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0723092gates1.html ). Regardless of his personnel feelings, he is POUS and as such has to be wary of making snap comments concerning certain things. Racism and confrontations involving police are among that catagory of things. Nothing about this situation required a response from him prior to his ‘checking out’ the whole situation.
Prof Gates seems to over react to the situation. He may be tired from his long trip, but when the officer explains his reason for being there and requests identification, Prof Gates needs to comply with the request. How does Prof Gates know there is indeed not a burgalar in process in his home. Think of the number of reports where innocent people are injured or killed when they walk into a burglary in their home.
Instead, Prof Gates becomes beligerent with the officer, by refusing to offer his ID and then making the statement about being a black man in america. Look at the booking picture of Prof Gates. He is fairly casually dressed, as I would be while traveling. However, to a police officer entering a possible crime scene, this very well could be the attire of a B&E suspect.
Once Prof Gates did identified himself (his Harvard ID badge), the police officer did attempt to leave (read the police report). Prof Gates continued to yell at Off Crowley. By this time there are numerous individuals outside the house, so if the police report is incorrect, I’m sure some of these witnesses stories will be reported countering it(the press can’t let a story involving racism end quickly).
From my perspective, all that needed to happen for this story to have never happened was for Prof Gates to realize he MAY have walked into a B&E situation (the reason the officer gave when arriving), show the officer his ID, and allow the officer to make a quick search of the house (for Prof Gates own protection). Once that was completed the officer would have left and none of this would have happened.
lovelyliz
July 24th, 2009
9:42 am
SInce when did becoming president mean you couldn’t support for friends? It’s not like Obama pardoned Gates for a crime he was convicted of!!!!!!!!!!!
FLAWoodLayer
July 24th, 2009
9:44 am
It is so funny how some white Americans are so angry that they are being so discriminated against. You run this country. You control the Fortune 500 companies, you control the government (most legislators are white btw). You have always had an advantage and still do. What is your gripe or is it when a black American calls it like it is and someone actually listens this upsets the apple cart? I am glad the President did not go pc and not answer a question asked of him at a press conference. BTW, he is friends with Gates and mentioned that as a disclaimer before his comments. I did not know it was a crime if you raised your voice at a cop. The officer arrested Gates because he mouthed off, something that if Gates had not been in elite circles for so long, would have known that blacks cannot do. Whites can blacks can’t.
For those who also say look at the police report, sorry to bust your bubble but police LIE on police reports. I’ve seen it personally.
Fifteen years ago as a college student in Florida, myself and three other black college students were pulled over by a police officer. He was black. He said and I quote “Just wanted to say they’re pulling brothas tonight so be cool”. We thanked him for the heads up. Racial profiling exists folks. I don’t think the Gates incident was I think it was just a hot head cop going overboard. However, these things tend to happen to black people.
Reign
July 24th, 2009
9:52 am
Buy a book on African American history!!!! Educate yourselves and understand the racial history in this country. All these comments are coming from a place of ignorance, anger and denial.
Kris
July 24th, 2009
10:01 am
I’m soooo tired of hearing about all this victim crap, because they are black.
You never hear the indians complain, they were treated much much worse!!!
Black America get a job, stay off welfare, stay out of jail, pay your bills, and stop having fatherless babies.
PS
July 24th, 2009
10:01 am
I’m familiar with the dealings of the Cambridge Police and I have heard of more corrupt things happening then I can even list here. I find it hard to believe that the officer was just “following the rule book.” I usually try to stay out of these racial debates but the Cambridge PD seems to have alot of screw ups under their belts…whether the victim was white or black.
Barbara Revell
July 24th, 2009
10:08 am
What did you think when you elected an empty suit to that position? That he might actually uttter a sentence on his own without sounding like an idiot? You elected him…..get him out if you don’t like it!
JDB
July 24th, 2009
10:12 am
What is being expressed is frustration with the CONSTANT complaining and making something out of nothing that exists within the black culture. This never had anything to do with race at its inception. The neighbor saw what looked like two people breaking into a house so she called the cops. Cops show up and Mr Gates screams racism. Then it became about race.
What happened in the past is beyond reprehensible, but I cannot do a g.d. thing about the past. All I can do is try to out my best foot forward every day and hope that everyone else does the same. Events like this are not doing anything in helping bury the hatchet.
I had nothing to do with slavery. I had nothing to do with the Jim Crow era. I had nothing to do with the attrocities committed against those in the civil rights movement. But frankly, I am getting tried of being held accountable for events that occurred before I was born. From my perspective, the playing field has been more than leveled and now all Americans have the opportunity to make the right choices and succeed in life. PLEASE STOP COMPLAINING AND START DOING SOMETHING TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY BETTER!! Obama was a step in the right direction — millions of white Americans proved that color doesn’t make a difference if you are a person of character. We have a long way to go obviously but I fully believe that events like Mr. Gates participated in are absolutely counter productive to what we would all love to have — equality and PEACE!!!!
lulu
July 24th, 2009
10:19 am
racial profiling is bad all over North America – Here in Atlanta if you are not white you have no rights
EVIL REPUBLICANS TIME IS UP
July 24th, 2009
10:20 am
REMEMBER BLACKPEOPLE ALL THIS RACIST THE COP DESERVE TO DO WHAT EVER HE WANTS TO,THESE ARE THE SAME REDNECKS THAT WANTED TO BOMB THE WRONG COUNTRY IN IRAQ,INSTEAD OF SAUDIA ARABIA,GOD PAYBACK IS COMING CRACKERS,THE INDIAN ARAB ASIAN HISPANIC AND THE BLACKS ARE GOING TO FINALLY GET REVENGE THRU GOD ON YOU RACIST CRACKERS,REMEMBER YOUR TIME IS UP!
JDB
July 24th, 2009
10:24 am
Really intelligent there, “EVIL REPUBLICANS” You are the problem with our country. Please do not ever ever ever ever ever reproduce. Please, the entire world begs you.
Scuba Steve
July 24th, 2009
10:25 am
Man…would I love to meet you outside…EVIL REPUBLICANS TIME IS UP…
Alan
July 24th, 2009
10:26 am
The cop is checking on a possible breakin, asks the professor to step outside (and he refuses), asks to see ID (and he refuses), and the professor starts yelling the cop is a racist? Would the cop have asked a white guy for ID?…Of course! Would a black cop have asked the professor for ID? So where is a ‘racial profiling’? The only person who acted racist was the professor…. who should have simply shown his ID, and THANKED the cop for risking his LIFE to protect the professor’s property!
Instead, the professor kept yelling (acting racist HIMSELF), until he was arrested for disorderly conduct… just like a white guy would have been. Again, the only person being racist here is the professor… who is apparently VERY racist.
oh yeah
July 24th, 2009
10:27 am
How dare you be a white man in today’s Amercia and not bow down to the feet of the black man. Do you not know that several hundred years ago, along side the Irish, the Chinese the Native American Indians and just about any other group of people, we were slaves. It is not enough that we are afforded afformative action and race quota’s and special loans predicated ONLY on our race. It is not enough that we have weeks of Black History and Being Black in America along with a separate Black Chamber of Commerce. We deserve more special treatment. Yes, we have a right to hate Arabs and Asians who come to this country and risk opening businesses in our neighborhoods; risk being killed by our fatherless young male youths. What gives you the right to be here only a few years and open businesses with your own blood, sweat and tears when all along I have lived on gevernment assistance and have not bothered to get my state paid for GED, yet you come here and succeed. Why shouldn’t I hate you. Now, one of our own had to obey the law and this is taking things too far. What’s next, that all people of America will be expected to live by the same rules and obey social order. Oh my!
The REAL GodHatesTrash, Superstar
July 24th, 2009
10:27 am
Bottom-line, filthy stupid trash think it’s perfectly fine for some knuckle-dragger cop to put cuffs on a skinny old crippled black man in the black man’s own effing livingroom because the ignoranus cop doesn’t think the black man is respecting his authority.
I am the authority in my own gawddamn house, you filthy trash, and the professor is the authority in his.
Scuba Steve
July 24th, 2009
10:29 am
As far as I am concerned, I think black americans should be thankful for what their forefathers went through…was slavery an awful thing…yes it was…but their great, great grand children get to live in the greatest country on earth instead of on a continent where genocide and starvation are daily worries. Instead of being victims, appreciate what your ancestors went through and be thankful for god sakes.
JDB
July 24th, 2009
10:35 am
Superstar,
It happens to people everyday, of any color. If you think you are the “authority” over the law, you are a complete moron. You will get put in handcuffs too, regardless if you’re skinny, crippled, or just plain dumb.
steven
July 24th, 2009
10:37 am
Two guys with backpacks & a crowbar break in to a house. Cop shows up and asks the guy in the house for ID to verify residence. Resident refuses cop’s logical request!!!! Resident later shows ID after accusing cop of racism. Cop LEAVES premise- STUPID Professor FOLLOWS cop from his home- shouting personal insults all the way outside in full pubic view. What so hard to get? Nutty Professor is NOT in his house…and has committed verbal ASSAULT/disorderly behavior (misdeamenor) in full view of his neighbors- (even after repeated warnings by Cop to calm down)! Now, all of America gets another lecture about racism by Obama, Professor & blacks. Whites “just don’t understand”. What a bunch of condescending, eliteist, superior Black racist B.S. ! It’s not that whites don’t get it ! We’ve been hypocritally lectured for decades and understand racism quite well now. We’re not slow learners like so many stupid people who think it’s smart to disrespect Cops! What an imbecilic professor, President & any other person who ‘reasons’ this is a racist incident…they are the one’s who “don’t get it” and so disqualify themselves from knowing anything about racism or recognizing it…especially in their own black selves.
bob
July 24th, 2009
10:44 am
I read so many stupid statements about Prof. Gates and the police officer and I have to admit that the officer was wrong. I have witness for may years of how some police officers treat black people and just early this year my 17 yrs old son was walking home from a friend how playing video games as most kids do now days. As he was walking home listening to his ipod, two cobb officers approached him with flashing blue lights around 7:15 in the evening and needed to know where he was going. Mind you many patrons walking to their cars after a brief shopping experience and my son was just walking accross a parking lot of a shopping center here in Cobb County, Ga. They asked that he be searched and they wanted to know if he was in a gang. They asked him did he have a deadly weapon. They then put his arms behind his back and search him and after continue checking his ID and not finding no criminal record attached. finally they now want to be his friend and now want to talked about his education and his future. I asked for a internal investigation and unlike most police dept, I have not to this very day understood why they stopped him. He was not trying do anything wrong and yes we forwarding this info for review. I do understand and support Prof. Gates position to defend him self and his rights. As great as this country really is, we should not be having as my problems when it comes to race. This is not Iraq, Iran, Cuba, or and many other country that we here and see on TV each day of constant problems and unrest. How could we as a nation tell another country how to act and controll civil unrest and policing when we have problems here in the US and being going on for many years. Many lives have been lost and risked for this country to move forward and embrace civil rights and human rights protected under the law. Racial profiling is illegal and should be illegal. I have a story for Prof. Gates about our experience here in Cobb County, Ga. after moving here within 3 years. I see his point and the President point.