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Gates Arrested in His Own Home
Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 4:29AM 
Henry Louis "Skip" Gates, Jr. (born September 16, 1950) is an American literary critic, educator, scholar, writer, editor, and public intellectual. Gates currently serves as the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor at Harvard University, where he is Director of the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research.
The above was taken from his Wikipedia biography. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is also Black. Whether this fact played a role in his arrest at his own home or not is as matter of conjecture. Below is one account of what happened when police were summoned to his house, because a neighbor, identified as Lucia Whalen, thought that two Black men were trying to break in. See Video here
The President, Barack Obama, was asked at a news conference what he thought of the incidence. Obama called Gates a friend, and said he doesn't know all the facts of the case but he said:
"Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof he was in own home," Obama said.
"What I think we know separate and apart from this incident is that there's a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately," Obama said. "That's just a fact."
The police sergeant accused of racism after he arrested Gates insisted that he won't apologize. Police say Gates at first refused to display ID and then accused the officer of racism. Sgt. James Crowley said he followed proper procedures in arresting Gates.
Crowley said he was disappointed by the national debate triggered by the incident and insisted he followed proper procedures in arresting Gates last week in Cambridge on a charge of disorderly conduct.
"I'm outraged," Gates said in extensive comments made to TheRoot.com, a Web site he oversees.
"I can't believe that an individual policeman on the Cambridge police force would treat any African-American male this way, and I am astonished that this happened to me; and more importantly I'm astonished that it could happen to any citizen of the United States, no matter what their race.
There are 1 million black men in the prison system, and on Thursday I became one of them," he said. "I would sooner have believed the sky was going to fall from the heavens than I would have believed this could happen to me. It shouldn't have happened to me, and it shouldn't happen to anyone."
He spoke of a "terrifying and humiliating" experience at the Cambridge jail, where he was booked, fingerprinted, photographed and questioned, then locked up in a tiny cell that made him claustrophobic. He said he wants an apology from the officer, Sgt. James Crowley. He also said he planned to talk to his legal team about the next step.
Prosecutors dropped a disorderly conduct charge against Henry Louis Gates Jr. The city of Cambridge called the arrest "regrettable and unfortunate," and police and Gates agreed that dropping the charge was a just resolution.
The city of Cambridge, a Boston suburb, released a statement saying the situation "should not be viewed as one that demeans the character and reputation of professor Gates or the character of the Cambridge Police Department."
Reader Comments (178)
President Obama failed the most basic leadership test. As a public servent and as a leader, he should not have criticized the police officer without all the facts. Besides, he said "I don't know all the facts". He could easily said: "like me, police officers are public servents and thier job is to protect and serve. If the officer did not performed his duties accordingly then I am sure Mr. Gate will get an apology he so deserves" and than say, "Next Question".
Hey Mr. Gates, next time the cops should just let a burglary happen. Next time you need police to proctect you, you should just assume they won't. Why would anyone want to answer any future complaints from you now?
Imagine if Crowley DIDN'T respond. Then Jesse, Barak and Al Shapie would be all "why can't a black man get police protection, y'all??!?!
It's a lose-lose situation. If I'm Crowley and I have a family to think of...I do the procedural thing and think of my safety first. Fukk Gates' house. Next time I just call in that "all is well."
You wonder why blacks get a stain on their image...it's because of stories like this. When will black leaders call their race being in the wrong sometimes? When? That's the first step. Start taking accountability instead of crying.
You want to be treated equal but are unwilling to play by the rules the rest of the country plays by. Grow the F UP!!!
I'm so sick and tired of this racial crap blacks can throw out for everything that happens. Oh, the officer was a profiling expert hughh. Now whats the excuse? Even CNN is showing Black in America 2. Are you freaking kidding me. BET, Black in America, NAACP, Blacks only school. Seriously, and whites are racist? 99% of the world could care less what color a person is. I thought when we elected a "black" man as President this whole race card would be tossed. I guess not. America has become the joke of the world. I had a friend that lost his job and applied for government help, he was denied and told, by the administrator, that if he were black he would've been approved. Hughhh FUCK THIS COUNTRY
a lawyer who has an admitted prejudice against cops. I object! Strike it from the record.
you are a dumb, ignornat piece of trash that is doing nothing but trying to cause more of a problem. its people like you that cant allow this world to just go by in peace.
"So, this guy makes a big deal about this…but years ago no one said a thing about the WHITE student at ball state that was SHOT and KILLED outside of his house…weird…race card wins again."
I have seen Gates on news channels before and found his insights clarifying. However, after reading the arrest report, which was confirmed by another officer, it appears that he shares some of the burden of responsibility for the incident. Anyone who is uncooperative with authorities may be placed under arrest. You see the same senario play out on the T.V. series "Cops" when a caucasion individual acts in a similar manner. I hope Gates and the officer can get past this and help educate all Americans on how to behave with authority. Afterall, if a student of Gates acted in this manner I would hope that he would respond by escorting them off campus.
Racists come in all shapes and sizes, every religious belief, every political affiliation, every nationality, all walks of life, both sexes, and every race.
For every white bigot I have known, or seen on the news, there is a black bigot or latino bigot or asian bigot.
I often wonder how far racial equality would have progressed if not for the pot-stirring of people like Prof. Gates, et. al.
Mr. Heidbreder -
Please take no offense at this. But I had to LOL a bit because it does prove a little of my point from above. We all make assumptions based on the facts we have or assume we have. You assumed I am a man. I do appreciate your comment of support, but I am most definitely a woman. Have a fabulous day! And, again, thanks for the support!
This officer is an obvious idiot, undeniably arrogant and clearly needs to find another line of work if his first and foremost duty is to protect and serve himself. I am a public servant as well, a health/ housing inspector for a large municipality. My counterparts and I deal with a lot of stressful situations on a daily basis. A majority of people have some job-related stress. I feel badly for Professsor Gates and his family. My condolences also go out to Crowley's family who has to bear the embarrassment of his sheer stupidity and misguided actions and words. Not to worry though, he'll most likely have the last laugh - the young sargeant will probably enjoy an early, taxpayer- funded, sumptuous retirement if he bids the Cambridge Police Dept. adieu - and goes out on the "Heart Bill" due to palpatations and job-related stress!!!
Mike, wow you're such a badass. Go Mike - you're awesome. You're a superstar.
No one worships cops. But if I knew they were there to investigate a break into my home - I wouldn't be a moron like Gates.
If I were a cop I would just let your house get broken into. Fuck it.
It sounds to me that the professor is racist.I am a white citizen and I have had people come to my door and ask to speak with the man of the house. So why does that have to be because he was black that question was asked to him?
I want to know if the Professer was under the influence of anything.
Insisting that an issue is all about race makes one a racist.
A racist isn't one who calls other people names, it is someone who is obsessed with the color of peoples skin.
How do I know that the person that shows up at my door in uniform with a badge is a real cop???
Al you sound like your on the brink of snapping, at which point you'd find yourself in cuffs as well. Open your eyes man, this is a culturally diverse country. Your not a victim. Your a human being. And so is the officer who was taking caution with his own life as he came to a burglary alone. Wa, Wa, Wa...so tired of it.
The Officer asked Gates to step outside after Gates had showed him his ID at which point he was arrested. if you look at the picture Gates was on his porch so he did not follow the officer into the yard shouting insults.
The officer was there for legitimate business true but when he was show the valid ID he could have broke off the confrontation but chose not to. O and my neighorhood is just fine thank you.
I am not a big Obama fan, but support him as president, but once again am absolutely floored that he even entertained the question regarding Gates. You are standing there addressing an issue that your presidency is riding on in a big way, the country is thirsty for answers. First, no answers on health care, second, he answers this topic with an opinion on the situation. I am assuming Gates may have over reacted as I assume the officer probably got pretty huffy. Anyone with common sense can see race is not a factor here other than for the media to have something to talk about. Between Obama's comments and actiona lately and the way the media makes everything into a circus show, no wonder when I travel abroad, I find we are laughed at. Embarrassing..... Obama is and was looked at around the world as a giant! Why WHY even address an arrest or spat basically that happened between an officer and a man he mistook based on given info for a robber.
I use to work for the police department in mass.and discrimination is everywhere.By the way a police report by any officer always will be supervised by the sgt.and he or she will tell you what to write or what to change.So they are not only experts on discrimination profile but on changing the facts,wich I was told to do many times.They call it covering your ass.
He won't be fired because he has his union to protect him
Sticks and stones...
Back off every one. The police officer's mindset was that he was going to face a burglary. But, it was found to be 180 degrees opposite. The Prof Gate’s mindset was that after a long flight, damn he was locked out. But, the police officer was there to investigate on the information he had and protect his house. If one of these people had common sense to understand the situation once they were met face to face this should not have happened. So, the stupidity is in both Prof. Gates and police office alike.
This is all ridiculous. Gates is only using this situation to promote HIS racist views. Don't get me wrong; the word racist doesn't apply only to "white America". He more than likely saw this as an opportunity to get on TV and it worked. The only reason we have a problem with racism in this country is because people like Gates and "Reverend" Sharpton keeping it alive. We all know that the country has come a long way from the days of segregation. I am tired of hearing about it and seeing the race card pulled all the time.
The officer was only following procedure. Get over the fact that Gates is black and Crowley is white. This whole thing is annoying and embarrassing to our country. Just shut your mouth and do what the officer says! How hard is that? Of course racial profiling exists- it only makes sense! What race are most terrorists? Gang members? Meth addicts? We all fall into a typical pattern of behavior for our race. It's called a stereotype and unfortunately they are right more often than not.
This is all ridiculous and we all need to just move on and do what is right, regardless of race or how you think you have been held back in life. Look at the President, he made out pretty good. Quit complaining and asking for handouts, work harder for what you want. Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for you country.
Right on!!
M. Williams... The officer teaches Racial Profiling classes to thousands of other officers, gave CPR to a black basketball player, is held in very high reguard by all his black co-workers. You obviously havent read the entire story. Another case of a black man claiming racism when he was clearly in the wrong. You dont curse the cops and instigate the situation. Its yes sir, no sir, what can I help you with sir. Like it or not.