Finally the White House is admitting what minorities have known for years. Racial issues can’t be ignored. In case you don’t know, a black Harvard professor was arrested at his home in upscale Cambridge neighborhood. The details are a bit sketchy, but there are some things that can’t be disputed.
Evidently Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. arrived at his home after a long flight from Asia. When the Professor and his driver arrived at his home, he found the door jammed. The Professor and his driver forcefully gained entry to his home. As a watchful neighbor watched, the police was called. The police arrived to find Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and his driver inside the house. After the Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. proved he was the owner and resident of the home an argument began. Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. was quoted as saying, ”This is what happens to black men in America!,” and, when asked by Crowley to speak with him outside the residence, Gates replied, “ya, I’ll speak with your mama outside.” Even though the Professor was inside his own home, he was arrested by the Cambridge Police Department for disorderly conduct.
Even though the charges were later dropped, the damage was done. How could a world renowned Professor be mistaken for a burglar in his own neighborhood? Is it a stretch of the imagination?
The interesting part is that President Obama criticized the actions of the Cambridge Police officer that arrested Professor Gates. He mentioned they “acted stupidly.”
I have to agree that this event seems to be a simple issue, but I would be just as pissed off as Gates if I was under fire in my own home. But the part of the issue I want to discuss is that racial profiling is the pink elephant in the room. For years people were in denial that it even existed. And now President Obama speaks about it openly as he mentioned, “we know separate and apart from this incident — is that there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately, and that’s just a fact.” Finally such racial issues are being talked about and addressed at the highest level of political circles.
Over the years, I’ve dated women of different races. And there were times when I would avoid certain cities or neighborhoods because of racial profiling. It just became a normal part of life. As recent as 4 years ago, I had the privilege of letting my local police department know where I live and work. At the time, there weren’t any minorities living in my neighborhood. And they were wondering why I was driving slow. (reading my mail while I drive)
Are we Americans finally acknowledging the pink elephant in the room? Or is this just another so-called “misunderstanding” that will get brushed under the rug? Who do you think is at fault for the arrest, Professor Gates or the police officer?
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