Proof that racism is alive and well Options

[jonathan83]

uses race to keep us separated instead of just Americans.

just like al sharpton and jesse jackson.

[Inferia]

I feel like people who say that people who say there's a problem with race is trying to segregate doesn't understand race or white privilege....

[blaarg]

The part of the story that I found to be the most upsetting is when the cop entered the home without Gates' permission -- following him when he went to get his ID. Isn't that illegal?

Also, Gates' holds no grudges for the person who originally called in the break-in. He was on CNN last night for the "Black in America" series, and said that he owes someone a fruit basket.

Finally, I think it was a good point discussing how people find the police officer's report believable as opposed to Gates' perspective. I mulled that over for a while.

[impala454]

I feel like people who say that people who say there's a problem with race is trying to segregate doesn't understand race or white privilege....

And this is the same BS answer everyone uses. "They just don't understand." That's not an answer. If we don't understand, then explain it.

I'm so sick and tired of the "woe is me" attitude that some minorities have and how they blame their skin color for the reason they're unsuccessful in life.

[Inferia]

The part of the story that I found to be the most upsetting is when the cop entered the home without Gates' permission -- following him when he went to get his ID. Isn't that illegal?

Also, Gates' holds no grudges for the person who originally called in the break-in. He was on CNN last night for the "Black in America" series, and said that he owes someone a fruit basket.

Finally, I think it was a good point discussing how people find the police officer's report believable as opposed to Gates' perspective. I mulled that over for a while.

I thought he said on CNN that he never left his house nor did the cops go in? Cuz he understands that the cops can't come in (well at least come in and arrest him without permission), and if leaves the house, he then can be arrested...

I find it interesting that people who are minorities find Gates' account more believable and white people find the cop's account more believable... I feel like if nothing, that says that there isn't just "one American".

Personally I don't think the cop is a racist, this doesn't mean I don't think race wasn't involved, I just think he doesn't understand the finer points of race and discrimination. That is all understandable, most people don't, even experts can't say they know everything since race is a ever-changing thing. That said, I don't think the cop should apologize, or feel pressured to apologize if he doesn't understand what he did wrong. Most I hope for is for him, maybe for both parties to understand what happened there, what implications were involved and what they did that escalated the situation.

[Hartmann]

The part of the story that I found to be the most upsetting is when the cop entered the home without Gates' permission -- following him when he went to get his ID. Isn't that illegal?

Since it was called-in as a burglary it is my understanding that the cop does not need permission because the call is probable cause.

Also, Gates' holds no grudges for the person who originally called in the break-in. He was on CNN last night for the "Black in America" series, and said that he owes someone a fruit basket.

Finally, I think it was a good point discussing how people find the police officer's report believable as opposed to Gates' perspective. I mulled that over for a while.

So wait, he holds no grudges against the person who called-in the break-in but thinks the cops profiled him? Isn't that a little oxy-moronic? "Hey, there's a black man going into that house, better call the police" = good. Cops showing up and arresting someone based on the call and sorting it out at the police station = not good.

What I find interesting is the President commenting on the case and saying "the cops acted stupidly" in arresting Gates. How about we wait until an investigation is done on the conduct of the officers before we start throwing fuel on a potential powder keg?

I honestly think the cop made a mistake in a tense situation, but I do not think he acted the way he did due to racism. Gates also handled this poorly and should have never brought race into the equation. Had he been a white guy and falsely arrested, this story wouldn't even be news.

[blaarg]

So wait, he holds no grudges against the person who called-in the break-in but thinks the cops profiled him? Isn't that a little oxy-moronic? "Hey, there's a black man going into that house, better call the police" = good. Cops showing up and arresting someone based on the call and sorting it out at the police station = not good.

More like "hey there's a man forcing his way into the house, better call the police" which seems reasonable, and Gates understands this. Gates said, while giving an interview, that if someone was breaking into his house at the time he was giving the interview, he would hope the same person would again call police.

[Inferia]

So wait, he holds no grudges against the person who called-in the break-in but thinks the cops profiled him? Isn't that a little oxy-moronic? "Hey, there's a black man going into that house, better call the police" = good. Cops showing up and arresting someone based on the call and sorting it out at the police station = not good.

What I find interesting is the President commenting on the case and saying "the cops acted stupidly" in arresting Gates. How about we wait until an investigation is done on the conduct of the officers before we start throwing fuel on a potential powder keg?

I honestly think the cop made a mistake in a tense situation, but I do not think he acted the way he did due to racism. Gates also handled this poorly and should have never brought race into the equation. Had he been a white guy and falsely arrested, this story wouldn't even be news.

I think the part he had the most problem with was the arrest part, not so much that the cops came over to check this out.

When do you think one should bring race into the equation? How do you know it's has nothing to do with race? Why are you (not just you, but lots of people) so content in shoveling that theory away? What if there is something to do with race? If we just shove it in the corner, it will come back to hunt us, and probably in a much more destructive manner... I feel like it's better to address issues as they are handed to us.

[impala454]

The part of the story that I found to be the most upsetting is when the cop entered the home without Gates' permission -- following him when he went to get his ID. Isn't that illegal?

Considering they were there investigating a robbery I don't see how. If I was a smart criminal I'd say "Oh yeah this is my house, wait here while I run out the back door *cough* I mean get my ID *cough*.

Finally, I think it was a good point discussing how people find the police officer's report believable as opposed to Gates' perspective. I mulled that over for a while.

I don't see that there was anything not to believe from either party. Both seemed to agree on all the points of what happened. The disagreement was in the intent of the officers. And in that case, which of these do you think is more likely?

1. Robbery call on a house. Police show up. A guy answers the door. Cops ask for his ID. Man gets irate and uncooperative, so cops arrest him.

2. Robbery call on a house. Police show up. See a black man answer the door. Cops decide "Oh it's a black guy, we hate black people, let's hassle him for his ID because we definitely wouldn't ask for a person's ID while we're here checking out a robbery call."

[Hartmann]

I think the part he had the most problem with was the arrest part, not so much that the cops came over to check this out.

When do you think one should bring race into the equation? How do you know it's has nothing to do with race? Why are you (not just you, but lots of people) so content in shoveling that theory away? What if there is something to do with race? If we just shove it in the corner, it will come back to hunt us, and probably in a much more destructive manner... I feel like it's better to address issues as they are handed to us.

I am not suggesting that we throw these things into the corner, I am suggesting that we not make public spectacles of them. We have a firestorm going on in Houston right now over racism within the fire department and while it should be investigated and those responsible held accountable, we do not need Quanell X going around sparking more divisiveness.

Gates absolutely has a right to bring up race when he feels it is a legitimate case, but that does not mean screaming to the media about injustice.

There is definitely some racism in the U.S. today and it's wrong, but it will not go away until all parties make a concerted effort to see it through.

[Hartmann]

More like "hey there's a man forcing his way into the house, better call the police" which seems reasonable, and Gates understands this. Gates said, while giving an interview, that if someone was breaking into his house at the time he was giving the interview, he would hope the same person would again call police.

So it's ok for someone to call the police but not ok for the police to question the validity of someone legally being allowed in the house after said phone call?

[Inferia]

So it's ok for someone to call the police but not ok for the police to question the validity of someone legally being allowed in the house after said phone call?

I think the problem here is how the situation was handled after the cops responded to the call. The stories are different between the two parties. Furthermore, the following problem is some people believe the cop's story over that of Gates', which may or may not suggest racial overtones. It is okay for someone to call the cops, it is okay for the cops to respond, but it is not okay for the cops to arrest a guy at his own home without a serious issue, and I think that's what the debate is about.

I'm not sure what the right course of action is for Gates, it seems like the Media likes to pick up on these type of news, especially when it involves someone as prominent as Gates. Though, Gates seem to have done his part to fan the flame, which may or may not be what he should be doing. I think in the end, it does one of many things, one get people to talk about race, this I think is not a bad thing. I understand the need for cohesiveness and an end to divisiveness, and I believe this can not be accomplished without discussing the issues. On the other hand, frequent discussions on differences, may result in a lot of tension, but I think in the long run this may be a more beneficial thing.

I don't know if this is a right analogy, but I always bring up issues we have in the relationship with my boyfriend. He doesn't, or didn't I should say, want to deal with for a long time. In the end, I think he felt too that it was important to deal with it earlier on than later when it might be too late or more difficult to deal with. Of course, our issues are private and personal, so it's not something that's worth going to the media about. But there are issues that are important, and prevalent in society. Maybe Gates is too quick in deducing this down to a race-based issue, but that means it's also too quick to deducing it down to not a race-based issue... I don't know when the "right" time it is to talk about this, but I guess it's happening now, so that's why people are talking about it.

[blaarg]

I think the problem here is how the situation was handled after the cops responded to the call. The stories are different between the two parties. Furthermore, the following problem is some people believe the cop's story over that of Gates', which may or may not suggest racial overtones. It is okay for someone to call the cops, it is okay for the cops to respond, but it is not okay for the cops to arrest a guy at his own home without a serious issue, and I think that's what the debate is about.

I'm not sure what the right course of action is for Gates, it seems like the Media likes to pick up on these type of news, especially when it involves someone as prominent as Gates. Though, Gates seem to have done his part to fan the flame, which may or may not be what he should be doing. I think in the end, it does one of many things, one get people to talk about race, this I think is not a bad thing. I understand the need for cohesiveness and an end to divisiveness, and I believe this can not be accomplished without discussing the issues. On the other hand, frequent discussions on differences, may result in a lot of tension, but I think in the long run this may be a more beneficial thing.

I don't know if this is a right analogy, but I always bring up issues we have in the relationship with my boyfriend. He doesn't, or didn't I should say, want to deal with for a long time. In the end, I think he felt too that it was important to deal with it earlier on than later when it might be too late or more difficult to deal with. Of course, our issues are private and personal, so it's not something that's worth going to the media about. But there are issues that are important, and prevalent in society. Maybe Gates is too quick in deducing this down to a race-based issue, but that means it's also too quick to deducing it down to not a race-based issue... I don't know when the "right" time it is to talk about this, but I guess it's happening now, so that's why people are talking about it.

Here here! Excellent post.

[Inferia]

Oh one other thing, I feel like the problem most people have with Gates is that it seems like he is sitting on some mighty steed handing down his judgment, not so much that there isn't race involved. Everyone then gets very defensive and the quickest response is what race problem? That in the end probably will create more problems as well.

[impala454]

but it is not okay for the cops to arrest a guy at his own home without a serious issue,

Getting irate with the cops and not cooperating is serious enough to arrest on. So your whole basis for your argument just went out the window. He didn't have to act that way with the cops. He could have simply filed a complaint after the cops left rather than blowing up in their face calling them out racial profiling. That would have been the proper way for him to handle it and wouldn't have resulted in his arrest.

You say the facts are in dispute. The only fact that is in dispute is Gates' behavior with the officers. The officers claim he got irate and wasn't cooperating. Gates' claims he was calmly asking for their badge numbers. Think about it for one second. If he's upset enough and appalled at these officers for what he thinks is racial profiling, asking for their badge numbers, etc, do you really think he was perfectly calm during the whole encounter as he claimed to be?? Or do you think it's more reasonable that he was screaming and yelling and making a scene?