Harvard scholar's arrest raises profiling questions

[_Simpson_ 250]

Its still the officers word against the professors. The officer didn't retract his statements, the police deptmartment just decided to drop charges.

As word spread, fellow black professors at Harvard accused the police of racism. Blogs and local TV shows buzzed with the story.

It certainly didn't look good: arresting a world-renowned black scholar in front of his own house after someone mistakenly took him for a burglar.

Do you blame the department for not wanting to fight this battle, just not worth it for such a minor infraction.

[Fandango 1,440]

Newest article on story from NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...oryId=106860000 apparently Gates says he did show ID. The charges have been dropped and there is apparently an investigation underway.

Hrmm, that's an entirely different view of things, dunno if I can say whether that's just cop attitude or racism. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the investigation yields!

[_Simpson_ 250]

What made you change your view on this? The cop has not retracted his statement.

[dalegg 143]

Newest article on story from NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...oryId=106860000 apparently Gates says he did show ID. The charges have been dropped and there is apparently an investigation underway.

Hrmm, that's an entirely different view of things, dunno if I can say whether that's just cop attitude or racism. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the investigation yields!

I just saw it on CNN. Apparently it actually states on the police report that he showed his ID and his identification was confirmed.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Newest article on story from NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...oryId=106860000 apparently Gates says he did show ID. The charges have been dropped and there is apparently an investigation underway.

Hrmm, that's an entirely different view of things, dunno if I can say whether that's just cop attitude or racism. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the investigation yields!

I just saw it on CNN. Apparently it actually states on the police report that he showed his ID and his identification was confirmed.

Well no one is saying that he didnt show his ID, the question is when did he show his ID.

[Fandango 1,440]

What made you change your view on this? The cop has not retracted his statement.

The initial story implies (or I inferred) that the prof seemed to have a chip on his shoulder, was a bit belligerent, and uncooperative. The second story implies (or I inferred) that the cops had that fkin attitude that I've seen cops have all too frequently. Of course, the prof's story will show him in the best light, being cooperative/etc...but one would assume that a man of his educational caliber could recognize the way his arrival home would appear to a stranger....which makes his uncooperative behavior in the first story seem a little implausible and kinda out of character.

Who knows where the truth is...somewhere in the middle, perhaps....

[HAL 9000 96]

Let us know what history of prejudice you've suffered. I am sure Professor Gates has a story or two.

I don't need to assume the obvious. That's why its obvious.

Time to go home now.

His previous experiences in racism do not make this racism. Don't be ridiculous.

That's an improper transfer of logic and you know it.

Deflecting the very real historical and actual racial disparities and relations in this country is not the best way to prove a point.

I think it's safer to say most cops have an authoritative ego attitude, and many will lock you up quicker than sneeze if you are deemed to be questioning their authority. Race aside completely...I do believe if the same thing happened to a white man, they would have arrested him as well....

Everyone should note, the guy didn't get arrested for B&E, he got arrested for disorderly conduct.

On a side note, I think it's such a disservice for people to always cry racism when there appears to be none. The facts are, he doesn't own the house, it was dark, obviously his neighbors didn't recognize him..and he and the driver were trying to open a stuck door. I don't know anyone under those circs who wouldn't call the cops...whether they looked white/black/mexican/etc...whether they were women or men....and the cops, coming to ask for id, did not have to be met with the righteous indignation of 'why is it cos I'm black?'

Its because racism STILL exists in this country.

so does every other heinous thing but I dont go crying about it everytime a cop knocks on my door.

You can bump that post a million times and one thing will never change you assumed the officer overstepped his authority when in fact you dont know because you dont have all the facts!

Let us know what history of prejudice you've suffered. I am sure Professor Gates has a story or two.

I don't need to assume the obvious. That's why its obvious.

Time to go home now.

Is he not a professer at a elite college, puleeze! This corrupted evil racist society gave him a chance, imagine that.

Sorry but its not obvious

Funny- I thought faculty positions were earned for the most part. Maybe you're privy to information the rest of us in academia are not.

Of course its not obvious- to you.

Newest article on story from NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...oryId=106860000 apparently Gates says he did show ID. The charges have been dropped and there is apparently an investigation underway.

Uh-Oh.

What made you change your view on this? The cop has not retracted his statement.

Hard heads tend not to.

[Ban Hammer 14,668]

Deflecting the very real historical and actual racial disparities and relations in this country is not the best way to prove a point.

and pointing that out in just about every thread you can does little to prove your point.

[_Simpson_ 250]

What made you change your view on this? The cop has not retracted his statement.

The initial story implies (or I inferred) that the prof seemed to have a chip on his shoulder, was a bit belligerent, and uncooperative. The second story implies (or I inferred) that the cops had that fkin attitude that I've seen cops have all too frequently. Of course, the prof's story will show him in the best light, being cooperative/etc...but one would assume that a man of his educational caliber could recognize the way his arrival home would appear to a stranger....which makes his uncooperative behavior in the first story seem a little implausible and kinda out of character.

Who knows where the truth is...somewhere in the middle, perhaps....

Yes its hard to gauge whats going on here, it will be interesting to see how this pans out.

[HAL 9000 96]

Deflecting the very real historical and actual racial disparities and relations in this country is not the best way to prove a point.

and pointing that out in just about every thread you can does little to prove your point.

So very true Charles. No point in being real.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Funny- I thought faculty positions were earned for the most part. Maybe you're privy to information the rest of us in academia are not.

Of course its not obvious- to you. tongue.gif

Oh my good friend you havent heard of that oh so friendly idea our peeps have graciously called affirmative action. Who needs academia when your a minority.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Funny- I thought faculty positions were earned for the most part. Maybe you're privy to information the rest of us in academia are not.

Of course its not obvious- to you. tongue.gif

Oh my good friend you havent heard of that oh so friendly idea our peeps have graciously called affirmative action. Who needs academia when your a minority.

... it is painfully obvious you have absolutely no clue what the faculty hiring process looks like; let alone what the tenure and promotion process entails. You might know about other areas, but on this one you are embarrassing yourself. Read up on Gates' publications, resume, etc.... and then say something about him not deserving full tenure... and also how some 1,000 idiots give him tremendous amounts ot endowment money for the Dubois Center

--- tenure and promotion in HU through Affirmative Actions.... Good one!

[Ban Hammer 14,668]

Deflecting the very real historical and actual racial disparities and relations in this country is not the best way to prove a point.

and pointing that out in just about every thread you can does little to prove your point.

So very true Charles. No point in being real.

no point in ascribing every action to that either.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

#######? Are you kidding me...people are actually agreeing w/ the police on this one???

the neighbor didn't recognize the prof and called the police. the police responded and caught someone inside and asked for identification (they apparently didn't know the prof either). All the prof needed to do was be polite and provide ID ... it would have all been over in a matter of a few minutes. Instead ... the prof gave attitude "initially refused to show the officer his identification, but then gave him a Harvard University ID card, according to police." Oops ...

The police should have done their job prior to showing up to the scene. They should have known who lived there. I seriously doubt you'd be calm if the cops showed up to your house and accused you of robbing it.....

they should have "known"? It's a leased house ... the prof is not the owner.

maybe next time the neighbor who apparently didn't know the prof should just do nothing if they see someone trying the "wedge" the door again.

fwiw: if one of my neighbors I don't know (and there are a few) saw me "wedge" one of the doors and break into my place ... called the cops ... the cops show up ... request ID ... I'd give and offer a thanks for them responding. then I'd contact the neighbor and definitely say thanks (a perfect chance to meet them too).

You wouldn't pull a gun on them and tell them to get out off of your property? What kind of Texan are you?

[_Simpson_ 250]

Funny- I thought faculty positions were earned for the most part. Maybe you're privy to information the rest of us in academia are not.

Of course its not obvious- to you. tongue.gif

Oh my good friend you havent heard of that oh so friendly idea our peeps have graciously called affirmative action. Who needs academia when your a minority.

... it is painfully obvious you have absolutely no clue what the faculty hiring process looks like; let alone what the tenure and promotion process entails. You might know about other areas, but on this one you are embarrassing yourself. Read up on Gates' publications, resume, etc.... and then say something about him not deserving full tenure... and also how some 1,000 idiots give him tremendous amounts ot endowment money for the Dubois Center

--- tenure and promotion in HU through Affirmative Actions.... Good one!

Oh my oh so other good friend Len I was referring to his comment - "Funny- I thought faculty positions were earned for the most part. Maybe you're privy to information the rest of us in academia are not."

I only wanted to make sure he didnt die not knowing of this great injustice called affirmative action.

Yes that aside I dont know the specific hiring process of Yale in 1975 but I will never forget the everlasting damage of affirmative action.

I will do homework on Gates and I will keep a open mind.

Edited July 22, 2009 by looking_up