For heaven's sake! This man behaved as if he has NO IDEA how to act when stopped by the police! Where is the wisdom? Where was his common sense?
The same thing happened a few years ago, when Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney tried to enter a government building without her identification. She threw a fit, too, and later apologized.
Every grown black man or woman should know, having been taught by their parents (or personal experiences) how to behave when the cops stop them or pull them over. Yes, there is a history of racial profiling in America. Yes, when we are stopped, it is aggravating and frustrating, and maybe even a bit scary at the same time. But we, as adults, should know that the key to keeping this inconvenience as short and as civil as possible is to try with all your might to keep a level head and do what the officers ask you to do.
Of course, it is a shame that in this country, we have to train our children to fear the cops because there is a possibility that we may be abused by them. But that stands the reason for a grown, educated man to throw a fit just because the officers were doing their job. They received a suspicious call, and they went to investigate it. It's not like the police knew who Professor Gates was when they went there. It's not like they were sitting in their car, saying to themselves when they heard the call come over the radio "Yeah, that's Professor Gates, I know him! Let's go over there and give that (enter racial slur here) what for!" The house that Professor Gates lives in is rented, so who knows how long he has been living there? For heaven's sake, get off your Ph.D. high horse and show the man your ID. Mr. Gates, you are not a celebrity. Educated, black and successful, yes, but no, everyone in America is not familiar with you. Just because you have a label behind your name does not mean that you are better than everyone else in America, and that gives you a free pass to be exempt from the rules, the agitation, and the nuisances that every other African-American in this country faces on a daily basis.
I am, in a word, embarrassed for him, just as I was when Congresswoman McKinney threw that diva fit. And I wish that President Obama would have gotten the facts straight first before making that comment on national television. I don't care who you are, it is never okay to behave disrespectfully towards lawmakers, police officers, bosses, parents, pastors, teachers...anyone in authority. What an example Professor Gates is setting for today's youth: If you are stopped by the cops, then it's okay to throw a tantrum instead of presenting your ID when asked. Lovely. Overturn all of the values and virtues that millions of us are teaching to our children by behaving in this manner. Anyone, whether white, black, Hispanic, Asian, whatever race, who becomes belligerent when stopped or questioned by the police faces the possibility of being arrested. The reason for the arrest is not because of racial profiling. It's called disturbing the peace.
4 comments:
Hmmm ... a very good a substantive arguement, but one I disagree with.
Unlike Congresswoman McKinney, Dr. Gates was not trying to enter a pass restricted area, he was going into HIS HOME. Who ever called the mounties, was motivated my spurious motives.
You are right when you chide Dr. Gates for his behavior. But given that he was in his home, it was dependent on the CAMPUS POLICE, not an officer of the law, to make sure that the alleged suspect was not the person who was supposed to be at the home.
Had Dr. Gates not been dressed in casual wear that actually BEFIT someone in that area, I would wholeheartedly agree that his petulance was unwarranted. But if the officer had any wits about HIM, then he could have saw on inspection that there was some sort of misunderstanding.
Was it class? Race?? Who knows???
As a black man, who has had encounters with law enforcement, from tickets to various questionings, I understand what you are saying, that most blacks are well aware that there is a way to speak to police officers.
But this was wack, wanna be, campus police. From being on campus, those cats are not as professional as they should be, and that is all too often.
The Harvard mounties also have a very poor reputation with regards to minority relations, and this is more of an example of that, rather than Dr. Gates forgetting that he is 'black in America', still.
I do agree that the President spoke out of turn. This did not merit a comment without him knowing the situation. I think that is more harmful than the incident itself. This plays into fears by white America that not only is he not a naturalized citizen, but that he will automatically line up with 'the kool aid drinkers' of black social commentary.
i am by no means trying to imply that police encounters are the same for blacks and whites in this country, but i will say that as a white person, i'm afraid to say the wrong thing/look at a cop funny myself. there's always the underlying fear that they're going to abuse their power some how, some way. it's kind of scary, really. i mean, regardless of how you think that professor reacted, is it really a crime to insult a police officer? you can insult the president without being hauled off to jail. while i respect the fact that police officers put their lives at risk, i think it's shameful how untouchable they seem to be and what ultimate power they seem to have.
Good points, meauxjeaux ... and a even better name!
There has been more to the story, since the dispatch woman all but badgered the poor woman into indicating that it was a hispanic, therefore and outsider, trying to get into a home. That is a sign of a problem within the campus police.
You are sooo true about police encounters not being about race, but power. They can and have assaulted ANYONE. I have repeated this in my own journal, that I have seen white boys get jumped and treated the same as minorities ... as I said in my journal, what is one or two less swings of the baton ... they all hurt!
The arrogance of them both, was nerveless. They both feel that they were in the right. Since I wasn't there, I can't say. But their actions gives ALL SIDES ammunition for their arguments.
I am just mad that it went as high as the White House and that they put their own speck of dirt on the office, by still being a-holes, the both of them.
Childish, arrogant men the both of them ..!
That's right! Awesome arguments; thanks to you both for your insights!
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