Who knew the black man to get the most press post-Michael Jackson would be a Harvard professor? But the story of Henry Louis Gates Jr. is making for hot copy; Gates getting busted in his own home for being "tumultuous," "secretly reading," and for "general uppitiness".
Why? Why all this interest -- besides the curiosity as to whether or not the arresting officer had ever once in his life previously used the word "tumultuous" in a sentence? I think it's 'cause the professor was putting into action what a whole lot of us were thinking: nun-uh. We're sick and tired of having to prove things to the self-righteous reactionary fringe which looks at life as one, big racial profiling traffic stop: Step out of the car Mr. President and show me your birth certificate. Ma'am, could you show me how being a "wise Latina" isn't going to infringe on my male whiteliness? This despite the fact the reactionary fringe is the one with the history of duplicity and infringing.
Culturally this "prove it" mindset dates back to the passage of the 1793 Fugitive Slave Act which put the burden on Freedmen to prove they were in fact not slaves.
You can imagine how the bulk of those cases went down in the 18th century.
Since then, people of color have had to be mindful of walking in too-nice of a neighborhood, browsing in too-swank of a store or simply taking a drive on a too-sunny day lest we have to suddenly prove civil rights which are supposed to be inalienable.
I have, however, just checked the calendar. It's not 1793 anymore.
To that end, how refreshing was it during his presser to hear the president say that the arresting officer in the Gates case acted "stupidly?" Now that that's officially out there, it's not for Gates to prove he was in the right. Let Sgt. James Crowley prove in this instance he wasn't stupid for placing a 58-year-old professor in cuffs in the middle of the day.
No, radical fringe. We're not going to prove anything to you anymore because we can show you our collective drivers licenses and birth certificates and our 17-year judicial records and any other documents or accomplishments and you'd just come up with another freak reason to deny, deny, deny.
Though you'll insist the black copters and The Protocols of the Elders of Zion real.
So, go on: collect in your basements and bomb shelters and fear chambers. Go gather your own birth certificates in plastic baggies and wave them around at your legislators. Listen to AM Radio so that the Masters of Yesterday's Technology can tell you what to think. The rest of us are above ground living in the daylight. You're welcome to join us.
Assuming you can prove you deserve to.
For more perspective please visit www.ThatMinorityThing.com.
This happened on the porch oft the Gates home in Cambridge, Mass, on Jul 16.
Knock,knock,is any one home?
Yes, what do you want, who are you?
I'm Sgt James Crowley, Cambridge PD, heres my badge #7777. I'm here in response to a 911 call by some one who observed two man forcing this door and entering. Who are you? Are you alone?
Door opens. I'm Henry L Gates, professor at Harvard and I live here, I'm alone.
Good, since this is an official police investigation of a break in, may I see some ID preferably a Mass driver's license.
Gates produces 2IDs.
Thank you. Were you on your porch at anytime this morning, and was any one else with you?
Yes I was and I can explain everything to your satisfaction (Gates describes return from China, jimmied door, driver forcing door, suit cases, etc.)
Thank you Prof. This dovetails perfectly with the observations of the 911 caller. I can close my case, but need one more item, may I see your plane ticket and passport?
Certainly Sgt Here they are.
Thank you. I can close my case now. Have a good day sir.
Thank you Sgt. I'll call your chief to tell him of your fine performance.
The two reports on actions taken during the possible B&E in progress at Ware St. on July 16, as reported by Sgt Crowley and Officer Figueroa do not reveal findings concerning two alleged suspects involved.
Because of report that two unidentified males were believed to be in the site and possibly armed, Crowley's own safety and of witnesses and resident(s) in site are paramount. However, he precipitously approached the site alone and started a chain reaction of challenges and counter challenges. The reports reveal nothing of his efforts to locate the second "accomplice," the two back packs, or suit cases, the broken screen door or front door. There is no mention of Gates;s earlier entry problems.
Instead the Crowley/Figuieroa reports are replete from start to finish, describing Gates as a militant black racist filled with irrational angst against racial profiling, uncooperative, unappreciative, loud, tumultuous conduct and accusing Crowley as a racist cop and acting irrationally. Crowley paints himself as a cool and calm investigator just performing his lawful job.
He spends much time attempting to verify Gates bona fides despite two valid IDs .He failed to check for Gates's photos, diplomas, awards, and trophies that are displayed in the house. It appears he had every intention of arresting Gates for disorderly conduct from early in their encounter. Figueroa's brief report support Crowley's actions completely. The second man vanished. Is there a teachable moment here?
I remember listening to an interview of Sgt Lashley, black 26yr veteran of Cambridge police and his 100% approval of Sgt Crowley's arrest of Prof Gates, which he thought was "by the boolk." But what I found interesting was his last statement, that Gates probably would have reacted to him differently. and that he would have handled the situation differently. Therein lie the kernel of an idea suggesting a change in protocol as follows. Dispatcher, upon learning address of crime site, must immediately access all available data base, (1) to determine ID/description of resident(s) (2) telephone (3) Google map/photo of site. These will be electronically transmitted to OIC at site. If dispatcher determines race of resident and/or VIP status, dispatcher will relay such info to OIC, and arrange dispatch of predetermined personnel tailored to meet such situation.Any disorderly arrest of a VIP must be approved by an officer of Lt or higher rank. It may also include certain language-trained personnel or different gender. If Sgt Crowley had waited for Sgt Lashley and let the latter handle the situation I am certain the outcome would have been different as suggested by Sgt Lashley. I would also suggest study of Honolulu"s police force, the effectiveness of its diverse force and racial sensitivity training. All of Hawaii"s people are proud of its police and shown by numerous polls.
CROWLEY: Hello, is this Mr Henry L. Gates, resident of Ware St.?
GATES: Yes, this is Professor Gates speaking.
CROWLEY: Sgt James Crowley of Cambridge Police calling regarding a 911 call by neighbors of a possible breaking and entering of your home.( Replying to request by Crowley for ID. Gates provides data)
CROWLEY: Thank you Prof. Are you or family all right? Are you aware of any break in the past 15 minutes. ,
GATES: This is a wonderful example of neighbors watching out for neighbors, and I appreciate your quick response. (Gates proceeds to tell Crowley all the details about his problem with his front door fully explained elsewhere in the press).
CROWLEY: Thank you Prof for a detailed explanation which dovetailed perfectly with the observations reported by your neighbors. I can now close my case. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
GATES: Why thank you sincerely Sgt and also to your team members.
CROWLEY: You heard the man guys. Parties over. Back to work. Have a cool one.
Richard Hayward
Let me connect it to my own perspective which is that the entire fabric of our metrosprawl society has its basis in the elemental fear and hypocrisy that the President's remark nudged open.
I commend to all the readers of my blog at http://stephencrose.wordpress.com the link below to John Ridley's HuffPo piece whose title is also the title of this post.
I am sick of racism masquerading as concern for the law, or as journalism or political discourse or punditry.
The police officer had no right entering without a warrant yet he did. He also lied in his written report as proven by the 911 tapes. He should be suspended not having a beer at the White House.
Believe this, I'm a 63 year old white woman who would most definitely assume the air of "DRAMA QUEEN" if a police officer illegally entered my home - without a warrant - demanding that I step outside.
Remember how they were just rich white racists??????
Nobody in the press ever APOLOGIZED for destroying their lives!!!! The various "GRoups" that
demanded they be thrown out of school never said "oh,we slandered them and we are sorry".. What do you call that and why oh why wasn't that racism? But better yet why are we rushing once again to judgment? I guess its easy when you can screw up and not be responsible for the slander that is spilled upon others.
NO EXCUSE. None. No matter WHAT he said or HOW he said it -- the man LIVED THERE. End of story. Get the HELL out of my house.
Good god. They DID behave stupidly. The fact that Obama walked back that statement is what disappoints ME.
Cops can be jerks to anyone. I don't know what happened between Dr. Gates and the officer, but it doesn't sound like it was completely the officer's fault. When an officer comes to my door, the last thing I ever do is to yell at him. I figure that if he really violates my civil rights, I'll file a complaint/lawsuit.
In any case, this issue is dividing people - and not in a good way. I am a registered (albeit barely) republican. A lot of idiots are running the party these days and I voted for Barack in the last election. However, this whole issue has gotten me to reexamine my direction. If I yelled at an officer who was just trying to do his job, I can bet you I'd have been arrested too.
I am a little concerned that Mr. Ridley is stirring up something he may not have intended.
Then again I'm white so I'm not allowed to take offense at things, I just have to accept them
Thank goodness for super-equality where MY opinions, views, beliefs, ideals and actions are to be scrutinized and forced to be proven valid, but those of 'my' 'countrymen' who obviously dislike their accommodations can feel free to abuse their RIGHTS while failing to live up to their OBLIGATIONS.
You seem to think Gate's actions were acceptable because he is African American. For a professional with the position Gates has, I think he acted like a child. That's just my opinion, but the facts back me up.
This is not a case that will make any difference at all in racial profiling. I would think it might even discourage people to become policeman, or piss of some that already are. How does that help anyone? Gates was not manhandled, he was released and the President of the United States stood up for him. What else do you want? The cop's head on a platter?
And the cop had no cause to arrest Gates... even if he had been acting childishly... in his own home.
Hearing you talk about how we women and non whites are always being told (no matter our accomplishments) "Prove it" really hit home.
Thanks and keep up the insights!
Prove it sums it up.