The recent incident that involved Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and a Cambridge police sergeant has caused a national stir. Even President Obama has weighed in on the incident, saying it was caused by an overreaction by the police. Overreaction? Black men all over the country understand that overreaction is all we ever get from the police.
Dr. Gates, I blame you. It’s your fault. You know – or you should have known – that Black Attitude translates to "Disorderly Conduct" in every police precinct in this country. A black man who doesn’t want to feel handcuffs should not project displeasure with the police... without a film crew. He should not argue his case. He should not demand the badge number of a police officer. And if you’re going to live in a predominately white neighborhood, you’d better have a fully operational front door. You don’t want to be seen lingering at that door, particularly with another black man at your side. Your badd, Dr. Gates.
I feel you. A transcript of your accomplishments could choke a goat, yet your credentials apparently don’t cover street smarts. On the street, a black man knows that black Attitude has a place, and it’s not out front when a police officer arrives. A black man on the street knows that his worst nightmare is cloaked in a law enforcement uniform with a badge. A black man on the street knows that the credo "Serve & Protect" quickly becomes Harass & Intimidate when a black man is spotted on the horizon.
The incident should signal a warning to all the accomplished black men out there. You may own your home, with sheepskin lining your walls, Persian rugs up and down your halls. But when a white cop knocks on your door, you’re just another poor black suspect.
Your first reaction may be to show your disgust at being mistaken for a thief in your own home. You may be compelled to shout out your name and your credentials. But that would make two mistakes – his and yours. He mistakes you for a criminal; you mistake him for someone who really gives a shit about your accomplishments. You may rant a little louder, possibly thinking that he should recognize you from numerous TV appearances, and because you are a noted professor at Harvard University.
Forget it!
He already knows that you are not a thief; because he can’t remember the last time he caught a gray-haired, 58-year old black man, with ID and tenure robbing a house. He knows, but he’s determined to teach your uppidity black ass a lesson. He wants you to feel the steel of his handcuffs. He wants to be the one to push your head into the back of his patrol car. He wants you to remember him, and everything about this night every time you walk through your front door. This is your house, but it’s not your home.
This white cop wants to ensure that he is not invisible to you. He wants you to see him. He wants your respect and you want his. In other words you are both standing your ground for the same reason. But he’s the one with the badge and the handcuffs, and you’re holding a doctorate. His is the instant victory, and the rest of Cambridge’s Finest – even blacks and females - will applaud him as he brings your black ass downtown.
It won’t matter that you have friends in high places. It won’t matter that you know the lineage of your ancestors. Officially you will be arrested for "Disorderly Conduct," which is cop-speak for Negro with Attitude. And as we all dial down the anger and apprehension, we will eventually have to admit that the country did not change on November 4th when we elected Barack Obama as President. All the integrated social events and think tanks for progress have not changed the answer to the question:
What shall we call racism in post-racial America?
Business as usual.
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Richard Kenyada's new book, Reflections in the Dark Room: The Black Essays is available online.
His first book, essays & open wounds while waiting for The Apology is also available.