Comments on: Cop who arrested Harvard prof was a racial profiling expert; Obama stands by criticism

By: Roadwolf

Roadwolf — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:40:58 +0000

The only person anyone can determine that was in the wrong for sure was Obama. What may or may not have happened between the professor and the officer we may never truely know. This is a case of nothing more than heresay and speculation. Unless Obama was actually there to witness the events of that night he had no right to speculate on the conduct of that particular officer. While I often find myself impressed with Obama this was nt his best moment. A person in a position of power should know not to cast judgements without absolute facts

By: some get some don't

some get some don't — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:44:59 +0000

The police is not GOD. Yes we should respect them, but they should respect the people to. Protect and serve… what does that mean? sometime because of all what happen today do the police and the people should take a step back and use reason.I help pay the Taxes that gives them there jobs. I don,t pay for them to profile me! most of us are out to help them not hurt them, but when some of the police see me does he see a person or thug? what run though there minds oh he look the part or do I have relly something to stop him or her for because I have that power! The police have a hard job and I know that but please don’t profile me I am not the one who is doing wrong when you see the shade on my face. I need your help but profiling me in not that help I need nor do you!!!

By: Larry Reardon

Larry Reardon — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:36:54 +0000

I don’t know if 0bama’s stupid cop incident has blown over, but surely the discussion still rages on. Look: Barack is the President. He is not the mayor of Cambridge, or chief of police; he is the Commander in Chief, and if he decides to publicly chastize an officer who was acting out of order surely he has the authority to do so. He had the homeboy’s back. Surely as Americans that is something we understand. The sophistication we aspire to with regard’s to the so-called race issue has been addressed in any number of movies and TV programs. I’ve seen some of Mr. Gates work on TV and it’s at least deserving of a B+. Fine work. But if he wants to play the role of Samuel Jackson, acting up like, some irate Crack Ho on Cops, I have to scratch my head and wonder. The part with a cop with a background in race relations, I’m pretty sure I saw that in a movie. It’s like this swill of a discussion is: to borrow a line from the “Last Poets”-”a dress rehersal of things to come”, and not a very good one. I like to hear some discussion as to whether love, loyalty, or even friendship is an extremely potent, psychological amulet for advancing an idea that reparations are due, to the descendants of a conquered people. There: I said it. To me love, loyalty and friendship seem like reparation.

By: mediamadeitracial

mediamadeitracial — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:04:38 +0000

Ok. For everyone claiming Obama and Gates are racist,please leave that comment out of it. Gates made a comment based on how he was being treated. Officers only ask you to step out of the house because they are not allowed to enter unless you allow them.That means Gates must have started making volatile comments in his home before and after he provided i.d. They should have left and his comment about race is left up to the men that were involved in all of this,not the media or us. Second Obama’s comment if you listened carefully was concerning the procedure not the men. If they acted on what their procedure called for then the I do agree the procedure is stupid and not the men.Although no officer throughout their career follows procedure to the letter. Last time I checked as well no officer asks you to step out of your house when you have proven you live there.Like I said when they ask you that is to get you pass your threshold of your house because they cannot cross that boundary unless you allow them. The officer must have been upset by the comments but he should have kept his cool and left and not succumb to the profane remarks of the professor who had every right to say what he said even though he was wrong in my opinion for making them. When the media blows up stuff like this it creates more of divide between races when race should not be an issue because we are human beings and should all be brothers and sisters in Christ not divided by race and titles. The only thing that some of you are doing on here is proving that racism still exists and you are apart of it. Pray for the situation to end and don’t stir the pot.

By: My opinion

My opinion — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:16:53 +0000

Just as each of you have decided to voice your opinions regarding the incident that occurred, President Obama reserves the same right to speak on behalf of his friend. Do I believe the professor was angry and likely cursed the police? Yes, but that is certainly not relevant. Has the cop likely seem more crimes committed by black men than any other group of people? Yes, that is likely, but that is certainly not relevant.

My brother and I (black male and female) both drive Chevy Impalas. My brother is stopped almost weekly leaving work in a suburban, white neighborhood. Each time, his vehicle is searched, he is asked why he is in that neighborhood, and he is given some lame excuse about why he was stopped (e.g., your tag light is dim). I, on the other hand, am only stopped at night. I can specifically recall three occasions when police turned on their lights, as I was going a significant speed over the limit, began to pull out, caught eye contact with me, and settled back into their spaces once they saw me (I assume because I am a female and I don’t fit the profile of whom they’re seeking that day).

Prior to purchasing my Impala, I drove a Chevy Malibu, and I drove at least 20 miles per hour over the speed limit everywhere, and I was only stopped twice – once for going 95 MPH in a 70 MPH zone and once for going 63 in a 35 MPH zone. Three weeks after purchasing my Impala, I was stopped for traveling at 81 MPH in a 70 MPH zone and 45 MPH in a 35 MPH zone.

Anyway, I give those examples to say that even if the officer was not racist and did not arrest the professor for being black, please do not be ignorant to the fact that it DOES still exist.

By: understanding black and white

understanding black and white — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:15:11 +0000

Both men lost there cool and both should have just walk away. nothing gain nothing lost. one had the authority and used it be because he got piss at what gates said to him in his house. what do you think the odd gates would be lock up if he was white doing the same thing? This is a teachable moment for all!!! just because you have the power you don’t have to use it. some time it pays to be cool and just let it go even if it is in your own house! This happen every day in some form all across america UNDERSTING and being COOL !!!

By: theotis

theotis — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 03:18:17 +0000

First off where is the neigbor who call the police to Gate’s home. Did police talk with the caller prior to barging into Gate’s home?
And why are all these police organizations circling the wagons to protect a cop who looks eerily like Furman? Were they there? Do they hav all the facts before profiling the president of the United States? And legally what is disturbing the peace. Just something the cops can charge you with just because they don’t like you?

By: Robert Irving

Robert Irving — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:20:18 +0000

What a waste of my vote giving it to Obama. I will not be such a fool the next election. This is if he is nor tossed out of office before then. He butted in where he had no business.Rojo.

By: Ray

Ray — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:13:55 +0000

Like Ned in “The Rievers” observed….At some point the law stops and just people starts–William Faulkner.

By: Kimberly Wilder

Kimberly Wilder — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:34:26 +0000

So, it sounds like a true moment of karma. The policemen was an expert on racial profiling. The professor was someone who studies racism.

But, as soon as there was conflict and disagreement, the policeman should have realized that he was the person holding a gun. So, if the professor expressed anger, confusion, or indignation at being confronted in his home, the policeman should have backed down.

The leaders, the public servants, the people holding a weapon, they are the ones who are supposed to be patient and find peaceful resolution in such charged situations.