I have questions. Seriously. Explain it to me like I'm six.
How does one mistake an older, slight-framed black male with a cane as a burglar?
Also, if he was with another man in uniform? In broad daylight? I agree with M.E. Dyson, if these two were actual burglars, they should have their burglar card revoked.
Why didn't Lucia Whalen recognize Henry Louis Gates? I mean, he is a prominent historian. One of the most prominent American historians. And she's a fundraiser? Good grief. Unaware much?
I think Ms. Whalen has gotten off easy. No one's focusing on her mindset. What, exactly, was it about Mr. Gates that made Lucia Whalen think "burglar"?
I have a friend who was pulled over on a supposed traffic violation in southern Illinois in the late '80s. His car was impounded and he was taken to one of the small town Illinois police stations. Once they were finished with him, instead of taking him to get his car, they made him walk to the next town where his car was impounded. So my friend, a young,thin black male, had to walk more than 5 miles along southern Illinois roads - at night.
Many people dismiss this kind of police behavior as aberration. But it is not.
Do you know how many people in Illinois have been exonerated, after spending several years in prison? Both black and white men.
The Gates episode made me think of the incident last month where the police officer tasered the 72-year old great grandmother. Who just happened to be white. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
A lot of people can dismiss misdirected police behavior when it involves minorities: Abner Louima, Freeman Diallo, etc., etc., etc.
But here's the thing: misconduct, once accepted, always spreads to the general population. First, they came for...you know the rest.
The police have a difficult, difficult job. Overall, they are to be commended. I have police officers who are friends and who are family. Personally, I've never had a problem with the police because I'm not seen as a threat. But, my black male friends have entirely different experiences. Too often, they're perceived as potential troublemakers.
And whereas I think most white people have been taught to uphold and respect law enforcement, our black brothers and sisters have been taught, from birth and by necessity, to be wary of the police. Diallo. 41 rounds.
Think of that. Wary of the very people who are sworn to "protect and serve" all citizens.
How many wallets are shaped like guns?
One statistic I haven't heard: how many black officers "accidentally" shoot white officers or white citizens in general? There may be a number of cases. I just haven't heard of any.
Bottom line: once Mr. Gates had identified himself, the police officer - the man with the gun - should have just walked away. Mr. Gates was "loud and tumultuous"? If you take the police report at face value, SO WHAT? Unless Professor Gates physically accosted the officer, handcuffing him was a complete power move.